Tourists^ Handbook, 



Will be Sent Free upon Application to 



E. T. Jefferv, President, " " " : 

J. G. Metcalfe, General Manager, 

A. S. Hughes, Traffic Manager, 

H. E. TuppER, General Agent, 353 Broadway, - 

J. W. Slosson, General Agent, 236 So. Clark St., - 

W. J. Shotwell, General Agent, 126 California St., 



Denver, Colo. 

Denver, Colo. 

Denver, Colo. 

New York, N. Y. 

Chicago, 111. 

San Francisco, Cal. 



n. V. LuYSTER, Traveling Passenger Agent, 315 N. Y. Life Bldg., Kansas City, Mo. 



P. B. Doddridge, General Agent, 102 N. 4th St., 

K. C. NiCHOL, General Agent, 124 Third St., 

W. H. CuNDEY, Traveling Passenger Agent. 

B. F. Nevins, General Agent, 109 West 2d South St., 

H. M. CusHiNG, Traveling Passenger .\gent. 



- St. Louis, Mo. 

Portland, Ore. 

Denver, Colo. 

Salt Lake City, Utah. 

- Salt Lake City, Utah. 



F. W. Thompson, General Agent Passenger Department R. G. W. Ry., 

625 Market St., San Francisco, Cal. 



T. E. SwANN, Assistant General Passenger Agent, 

Or 

S. K. HOUPER, Qeneral Passenger Agent, 



Denver, Colo. 
Denver, Colo. 



FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION. 



Tourists' Handbook 



DESCRIPTIVE OF 



COLORADO, NEW MEXICO AND UTAH. 




TWENTY-FIRST EDITION, FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIFTH THOUSAND. 
REVISED AND CORRECTED TO JANUARY 1, 1901. 



PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE PASSENGER 
DEPARTMENT OF THE 

DENVER k RIO GRftNDE RftlLROAD - 



J- . A„t „f rr,n(.r<.«5 in the vear 1901, by S. K. Hooper, at the 
Entered according to Act ot (.ongress, ui me jcai . >/ , j 

Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. 



FOREWORD. 



<i^^HIS little book is intended to give the tourist information, 
((^^ and it does not aspire to vivid description or the graces of 
^'^^ fine writing. It will ertdeavor to tell the traveler what to see 
and how to see it, and to give him as concisely as possible exactly 
the information he would naturally desire, so that he can employ 
his time to the best advantage and know beforehand what he should 
see, how he can reach his destination and what accommodations 
he will find. 

The Rocky Mountains ha\'e until recently been very little 
known to the outside world, and so rapidly have they been opened 
up by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, and so enterprising have 
the people of the country been in providing accommodations for 
travelers and f«icilities for their enjoyment, that this Company feels 
that it is due to the people of Colorado, as well as to the Colorado 
tourist, to issue, in as compact a form as practicable, a handbook 
of this character. 

With Denver as a starting point, the towns and pleasure resorts 
throughout the State which are of special interest to the tourist, and 
which are within practicable reach of the railroad, will be noticed. 

For full particulars as to train service, dining-car service, etc., the 
reader is referred to the regular folder of the Denver & Rio Grande 
Railroad Company, which is corrected and issued each month. 

For rates of fare and information upon points not mentioned in 
this book, call on or address 

Gen I Pass r and Ticket Agent, 

DENVER, COLORADO. 



AMONG THE ROCKIES. 



Population, 735,000 
Elevation, - 6,198 



DENVER. 

Capital of Colorado. 

^ N 1858 the Pike's Peak gold excitement caused a rush from the East to 
Colorado, and a camp was pitched at the junction of Cherry Creek and the 
Platte, which shortly after was christened Auraria. From this small 

/l^ beginning sprang Denver, the "Queen City of the Plains." Beautiful for 
situation, with the great range of the Rocky Mountains tower- 
ing in the west, and the illimitable plains stretching to the 
Missouri River on the east, Denver is worthy of the attention 
and admiration of all who behold it. It is one of the greatest 
railroad points in the west; twelve railroads centering here in a fine union depot 
and radiating to all parts of the United States. Denver is the capital of the 
State and the county seat of Arapahoe County. The foothills of the Rocky 
Mountains are only, fourteen miles distant, and Long's Peak, James' Peak, Gray's 
Peak and Pike's Peak are in plain view, connected by the gleaming, serrated line 
of the Snowy Range. Parks, boulevards, paved streets, opera houses and costly 
and elegant public buildings and private residences are a few of the most obvious 
signs of wealth, cultivation and luxury which are to be found in Colorado's 
capital. Among the principal places of interest may be mentioned the Tabor 
Grand Opera House, Broadway Theatre, United States Mint, United States Custom 
House and Post Office, the County Court House, the magnificent State Capitol 
(occupying three entire blocks and having cost nearly $3,000,000; constructed of 
native granite, and all floors and wainscoting of Colorado marble), the City Hall, 
University of Denver, Wolfe Hall, Trinity M. E. Church, St. John's Cathedral, 
College of the Sacred Heart, Jarvis Hall, Baptist Female College, St. Anthony's, 
St. Luke's, St. Joseph's, and several other very fine hospitals and sanitariums; 
the Argo, Globe and Grant Smelting Works, the cotton, woolen and paper mills, 
and a large number of churches, hotels and business blocks, any of which would 
do credit to the metropolitan cities of the East. The city has an extensive system 
of electric street railways and is lighted by electricity, has excellent waterworks, 
a fine system of storm and sanitary sewers, a well-disciplined and effective fire 
department, good police force, and telephone communication in the city and with 
all the principal towns of the state. Denver is the objective point for a large 
tourist travel, and it is estimated that the arrivals during the year will average 
700 daily. The climate is healthful and invigorating, and invalids find this an 
excellent place to regain their health. There is always some pleasing attraction 
to divert the mind. The boards of the four city theatres are occupied in the 
winter season by the very best of traveling companies, and excellent stock com- 
panies appear at the two summer houses, Elitch's Gardens and Manhattan Beach, 
during the warm months. The churches are presided over by clergymen of talent 
and culture. The newspapers are metropolitan in size and management. In a 
word, Denver is one of the best business and most pleasant residence cities in the 
world. Rapid as has been the growth of this wonderful city, it is evident that it 
is but on the threshold of its prosperity, and that the future holds for it much 
more and greater success than has been vouchsafed it in the past. 

Hotels — Denver is well supplied with hotels of all classes. Principal 
among them may be named, the Brown Palace, Albany, St. James, Windsor, 
Oxford, Metropole, Markham, L'Imperiale, Union, Columbia and some forty 
others of lesser note. There are also a large number of fine boarding houses 
situated in the aristocratic precincts of Capitol Hill. 



FORT LOGAN, LITTLETON AND WOLHURST. 

As the train speeds southward (off to the west may be seen Fort Logan, a 
United States military post, occupied by a regiment of infantry and accessible by 
a branch line from Military Junction), Littleton is reached at a distance of eleven 
miles from Denver. It is a thriving suburban town and three miles beyond, 
Wolhurst, the beautiful summer home of Senator Wolcott, with its lakes, 
orchards, drives and extensive grounds is passed. 



CASTLE ROCK — PERRY PARK — PALMER LAKE. 



CASTLE ROCK. 

Castle Rock is thirty-three miles south of Denver, on the 
Denver & Rio Grande R. R., is the county seat of Douglas 
County, and a fine courthouse has lately been constructed 
here. It is a picturesque little village and derives its name 
from a bold and remarkable promontory which springs directly from the plain and 
under whose shadow the village stands. This promontory always attracts the 
attention of tourists and is therefore worthy of special mention. 



Population, - 350 
Elevation, - 6,219 



PERRY PARK. 

Perry Park is situated within an hour's drive of Larkspur 
Station, forty-three miles south of Denver, and in natural 
attractions has few if any superiors in the State. Bountifully 
supplied with pure and sparkling water and protected on the 
west by the Front range of mountains, it forms a quiet and romantic resting place 



Pleasure and 

Health Resort. 




PERRY PARK. 



for those who wish a pleasant summer's outing free from the annoyances of 
business. The Park is filled with many remarkable rock formations, equal in 
unique grandeur to those of the better known but not more attractive Garden of 
the Gods. The walks and drives in the Park and around it give ample variety 
and the accommodations for visitors are excellent. 



Population, 
Elevation, - 



- 200 
7,237 



PALMER LAKE. 

Pleasure and Health Resort. 

Palmer Lake is situated on the Denver & Rio Grande 
R. R., fifty-two miles south of Denver. It was formerly called 
"Divide," a very significant and appropriate title, as on the 
crest of this summit the waters divide, flowing northward 
into the Platte, which empties into the Missouri, and southward into the Arkansas, 
as it wends its way to the Mississippi. In approaching Palmer Lake from either 
Denver or Pueblo, the traveler will enjoy a most delightful variety of scenery ; 
on either side are rolling plains dotted with numerous herds of cattle, agricultural 
settlements with cultivated ranches, giving evidence of enterprise and thrift. 
Now and then we catch a glimpse of streams threading their way amid the 
valleys and glens, while stretching away in the distance the cliffs and towering 
peaks of the Snowy Range in their dazzling whiteness appear like fleecy clouds 
upon the horizon, and form a striking contrast with the blue-tinted foothills, 
which, as we near them, appear covered with oak shrubbery, bright flowers, 
castled rocks, scattered pines and quaking aspen glimmering in the sunshine.^ 



GLEN PARK — MONUMENT PARK. 7 

Nestled here in this mountain scenery, sparkling like a diamond in its emerald 
setting is Palmer Lake, a delightful surprise to the tourist — a rare and unlocked 
for feature in the landscape. 

Along the shore of the lake has been placed a substantial stone embankment, 
and in front of the station a neat and tasteful boathouse has been erected and 
well stocked with boats. Streets have been laid out and planted on either side 
with shade trees, and an abundant supply of the purest water has been brought 
to the town from a mountain source, in iron pipes, under a pressure that enables 
fountains to throw water to a height of eighty feet. As a sanitarium Palmer 
Lake is one of the best in Colorado. 

Hotels — The Rocklands is a comfortable and handsome building, where 
the visitor will find the comforts of a home combined with the elegance and con- 
venience of a first-class establishment. There are also numerous cottages and 
boarding houses. 

Walks and Drives— Many points of scenic interest surround Palmer Lake, 
easily accessible by a pleasant walk or drive. Among them may be mentioned 
"Phoebe's Arch," "Glen D'Eau," "Bellevue Point" and "Ben Lomond." 



GLEN PARK. 



The Colorado 

Chautauqua. 



Glen Park is within half a mile of Palmer Lake, in a 
charming, park-like expanse between two mountain streamlet^, 
and at the mouth of a beautiful canon, fifty-three miles from 
Denver. The Park is at the foot of the Rocky Mountain Range, 
and is sheltered at the rear by a towering cliff 2,000 feet high, and on the two sides 
by small spurs of the range. A noble growth of large pines is scattered oyer the 
Park. A skillful landscape engineer has taken advantage of every natural beauty 
and studied the best topographical effect in laying out the streets, parks, reservoirs, 
drives, walks, trails and lookout points. It is a spot that must be seen to be 
appreciated, and every visitor whose opinion has been learned has come away 
captivated. There are building sites for all tastes. Some have a grand outlook, 
taking in a sweep of the valley for a distance of fifty miles, with the fountain in 
Palmer Lake and the beautiful lake itself in full view. Elephant Rock, Table 
Mountain, the town of Monument and the railroad trains from both ways for over 
half an hour before reaching the station can be seen. 

There is a handsome auditorium, with a seating capacity of one thousand 
persons, and containing rooms for the offices of the Glen Park Association. A 
large reservoir furnishes an ample supply of water for domestic and fountain uses. 
The drives in this vicinity are exceedingly varied and full of interest. The 
walks are numerous and charming. One of the prettiest glens in America is at 
hand and of easy access. The railroad facilities are everything that could be 
desired, and the proximity to Denver makes it possible for business men to spend 
every day at business and every evening with their friends at the park. Chau- 
tauqua Assembly is held annually. 



MONUMENT PARK. 

Monument Park, Edgerton station, sixty-seven miles south from Denver and 
eight miles northward from Colorado Springs and Manitou, is a pleasant day's 
excursion. "The Pines," a comfortable hotel, situated in the center of the Park, 
one-half mile from the depot, commanding a fine view of Pike's Peak and 
Cheyenne Mountain Range, is open at all times for the accommodation of guests 
and can furnish saddle-horses and carriages on premises. This park is chiefly 
remarkable for its very fantastic forms, in which time and the action of air and 
water have worn the cream-colored sandstone rocks, which the valleys have 
exposed, forming grotesque groups of figures, some of them resembling human 
beings, viz.: Dutch Wedding, Quaker Meeting, Lone Sentinel, Dutch Parliament, 
Vulcan's Anvil and W^orkshop, Romeo and Juliet, Necropolis or Silent City, The 
Duchess, Mother Judy and Colonnade; all of these and many others too numerous 
to mention are within easy walking distance of "The Pines." 














MARSHALL PASS MOUNT OURAY. 



COLORADO SPRINGS — C. S. & C. C. D. RY. — COLORADO CITY. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. 

County Seat of El Paso County- Health Resort. 

This delightful little city is essentially one of homes where 



Population, 26,000 the families of many of the most influential business men of 
Elevation, - 6,992 the State reside. It is a temperance town, with charming 
society and an elegant opera house, built as a place of enjoy- 
ment rather than as an investment, by some of the most successful citizens. 
There are many points of scenic interest within an hour's ride from the city. Among 
them may be mentioned Cheyenne Canons, the Garden of the Gods, Glen Eyrie 
and Manitou Springs. 

Colorado Springs was laid out as a health resort and its fame as a sanitarium 
is wide-spread and thoroughly deserved. It is sheltered on the west by the range 
of mountains, on the east by bluffs, on the north by a spur of mountains called 
the Divide and on the southwest by Cheyenne Mountain. The town covers an 
area of four square miles, so there is plenty of ground around most of the houses; 
the streets are wide and lined with shade trees. Besides the water conveyed in 
ditches for irrigating, pure cold water is brought in iron pipes from Ruxton's 
Creek, six miles away on the mountain side, where it is free from all contamina- 
tion and is exceptionally pure. The supply is practically unlimited and the 
pressure is such that fire can be extinguished without engines. The dry air, the 
altitude and the climatic conditions make this one of the best resorts in the world 
for those suffering from consumption. Physicians of the highest character assure 
the public that this climate is a sure cure for consumption, if the invalid will 
come before the disease has progressed too far. The death rate is very low, being 
5.6 per 1,000; from zymotic diseases, 1.6 per 1,000. The business interests are 
large and growing. The Mining Stock Exchange is the largest of its kind. 

BkOADMOOR Casino — Located at the mouth of Cheyenne Canon. Beautiful 
grounds surround the Casino building, with a lovely little lake covered with 
graceful boats. An orchestra discourses sweet music at afternoon and evening 
concerts during the season. 

Hotels — The Antlers was destroyed by fire in 1898, but a magnificent 
structure to bear the same name is now in course of erection, which is to be 
completed and opened for guests about June i, igoi. It will rival in elegance the 
famous hotels of Florida. The Alamo and the Alta Vista hotels are exceedingly 
popular and entertain a fine class of patrons. The Grand View Hotel is another 
excellent hostelry with good patronage. There are a number of smaller hotels 
and a good supply of comfortable and homelike boarding houses, in different 
parts of the town; also fine livery stables, where riding and driving horses and 
carriages of the best are furnished at reasonable prices. 



COLORADO SPRINGS & CRIPPLE CREEK 
DISTRICT RAILWAY 

Colorado Springs is the junction point of the Denver & Rio Grande and the 
Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Ry., constructed in 1900. This line 
reaches Cripple Creek, Victor and the famous mines surrounding them at a 
distance of but forty-five miles from Colorado Springs. The road crosses the 
Front or Snowy range just south of Pike's Peak and the scenery is surpassingly 
beautiful. Frequent vistas of the plains dotted with towns and cities, railway 
trains and ranches, streams and irrigating ditches, are obtained from the car 
windows, greatly enhancing a trip over this line. 



COLORADO CITY. 

Colorado City, the first territorial capital of Colorado, 
and at present a thriving town, is situated on the Denver & Rio 
Grande R. R., midway between Colorado Springs and Manitou 
Springs, seventy-eight miles from Denver. There are located 
here extensive railroad repair shops, and several large cyanide and chlorination 
plants, where the rich gold ores from the mines of the famous Cripple Creek 
district are treated. 



Population, 3,000 
Elevation, - 6,110 



Population, 1,400 
Elevation, - 6,318 



lO MANITOU SPRINGS. 

MANITOU SPRINGS. 

Watering Place. 
Of all Nature's lovely spots few equal and none surpass 
in beauty of location, grandeur of surroundings and sublimity 
of scenery this veritable " Gem of the Rockies." As a pleasure 
resort it presents more objects of scenic interest than any resort 
of a like cliaracter in the old or new world, while its wonderful effervescent 
and mineral springs, soda and iron, make it the favorite resting place for invalids. 
The great superiority of Manitou's climate is found in its dryness and the even 
temperature the year round. In summer the cool breezes from the mountains 
temper the heat, the nights always being cool enough to allow that refreshing 
sleep so grateful to all and most needed by the invalid. So bracing is the air and 
free from enervating inlluences that a case of sunstroke is unknown in Manitou. 
The elevation is over a mile above sea-level and the pure dry air of the mountains 
is i)arlicularly strengthening to all who suffer from throat or lung troubles and is 
a specific for asthma or hay fever. 

The winter months are vv'arm and pleasant, so warm that excursions are 
almost daily made to the neighboring cafions and glens, where outaoor picnics 
are hehl with the same impunity as in summer. For several hours in the majority 
of winter days, invalids can sit out of doors without extra wraps ; so strong is the 
sun's heat that sun-shades are grateful. The mercury at this season of the year 
daily goes to sixty, seventy and seventy-five degrees above zero in the shade, and 
snow is never sufficient for sleighing; so light and rare is the fall of snow, which, 
under the warm influence of a Colorado sun, seldom lasts more than a day, that 
during the spring no period of melting snow is to be shunned, as in other climates. 
The winters here are exempt from a long train of diseases common to the lower 
elevations of the east, the high altitude, sparkling water and pure, dry movmtain 
air rendering malaria, fevers, cholera and epidemic diseases almost unknown. 
The invalid will find health and strength returning to him, while those who are in 
good health find in Manitou immunity from sickness and an abundance of enjoy- 
ment. The tourist visits this resort for pleasure, the invalid for health, and both 
find their wishes gratified. 

Manitou is situated six miles west of Colorado Springs, immediately at the 
foot of Pike's Peak. Here are the celebrated effervescent soda and iron springs, 
which in an early day gave the name "Springs" to the town of Colorado Springs. 
A branch railroad unites the two places, over which trains run daily with sufficient 
frequency to accommodate the most exacting. Once domiciled in Manitou the 
way to enjoy it to the utmost is in the saddle. The riding horses are excellent; 
comfortable saddles for ladies and well-trained horses are furnished by all the 
livery stables. A Pike's Peak burro (donkey) brigade is a feature for the special 
benefit of the children, a careful guide taking the little ones for a ride every 
morning. There are more points of interest near Manitou than any other watering- 
place in the world. Following is a partial list with the distance in miles from 
town attached: 



Kuxtcjn Creek, Iron Springs and Hotel 1^4 

Ute Pass, Rainbow Falls 1^ 

Red Canon 3 

Crystal Park 3 

Garden of the Gods 3 

(iien Eyrie 5 

Monument Park, by trail •;% 

" " " carriage 9 



Seven Lakes, by horse trail g 

" " " carriage road 2^ 

North Cheyenne Canon 8^ 

South Cheyenne Cafion '. 9 

Summit of Pike's Peak, by rail 9 

" " " " trail 13 

Williams Cafion 2 

Grand Caverns 3 



In addition to these well-known localities, there are scores of cafions, caves, 
waterfalls, and charming nooks which the sojourner, for health or pleasure, can 
seek out for himself. The village is thronged with visitors throughout the summer 
months; it is somewhat cooler and less dry than Colorado Springs in the summer 
and warmer in winter. The springs all contain more or less soda and some iron. 
They are peculiarly adapted for the dyspepsia of the consumptive, and the Ute 
Iron Spring is specially remarkable for its blood-making qualities. The water of 
the springs is bottled and sui)plied to dealers throughout the country. For the 
pleasure-seeker and the invalid, Manitou is one of the most satisfactory resorts in 
the state. During the season the hotels are filled with guests from all parts of the 
Union. Society is represented by many of its best people, the evenings are made 
merry with hops and social gatherings, and the days delightful with drives and 
rides and walks among the myriad of attractions this place affords. 



PLACES OF INTEREST NEAR MANITOU. 



II 



THE MINERAL SPRINGS 

Are good for the following diseases: acid dyspepsia, sour stomach, pyrosis, 
flatulency, kidney complaints, smarting, stinging pains in the back, bladder 
complaints, Bright's disease, diabetes, weakness from any cause, loss of appetite 
or strength, consumption, etc. 

In the city limits are nine cold mineral springs. These may be divided into 
two groups. The soda spring — resembling in taste and properties the Apollinaris 
water — and the iron springs. 

ANALYSIS OF THE MINERAL SPRINGS. 

By O. LEOW, Mineralogist and Chemist of the Wheeler Expedition. 

IN A pint of the spring WATER THERE ARE CONTAINED IN GRAINS: 





NAVAJO 


MANITOU 


SHOSHONE 


IRON 


LITTLE 
CHIEF 


Carbunate of soda 


S 3-4 

I-^O 

9 1-17 
2 1-15 
trace 
I 1-7 

1 1-4 

2 3-4 

I-IO 


3 1-3 
1-67 
7 3-4 
I 1-2 

I 

1 2-3 

2 i~3 
1-7 


1 1-5 
trace 

7 3-5 

2 3-5 
3 
trace 


4 1-7 
trace 
4 1-8 

1 1-50 
2-5 
1-2 

2 1-5 
I 1-5 


I 1-7 


" lithia 


" lime 


5 1-4 


" magnesia ' 




1-8 








33-5 
3 1-3 

1-7 




Silica 




23 1-3 
50.2 deg. 


18 1-5 

Free 

56 deg. 


carbonic 


19 3-4 
carbonic 
48.5 deg. 










43 deg. 





HoTELS^Manitou is well provided with hotels and the accommodations are 
of a very superior quality, equal in every respect to the best hotels of the most 
popular watering places of the East. The leading hostelries are the Clifif, Barker, 
Mansions, Manitou, Iron Springs, Ruxton, Sunnyside. 

There are in addition to the above many excellent small hotels, besides 
cottages which may be rented for a period of weeks or months. 



PLACES OF INTEREST NEAR MANITOU. 

THE GARDEN OF THE GODS 

Has been described and photographed more than any other place of scenic interest 
in Colorado, but words or pictures fail to give even the faintest idea of its wealth 
of gorgeous color, or of the noble view which its gateway frames. The portals 
of this famed gateway spring from the level plain to a height of three hundred 

and thirty feet 

andglowwith r^ H 

the most bril- 
liant coloring . 
of red. There 
is an outer 
parapet of 
pure white 
and there are 
innercolumns 
ofvariedhues, ; 
thewholesug- 
gesting the 
ruins of a 
vast temple, F 
once the re- 
ceptacle of 
the sacred 
shrine of the 
long-buried 
gods. Within 

the Garden the rocks assume strange mimetic forms, and the invagination of the 
spectator is kept busy discovering resemblances to figures of beasts and birds, 
of men and women and of strange freaks in architecture. 




GATEWAY 

TO THE GARDEN 

OF THE GODS. 




ROYAL GORGE. 



PLACES OF INTEREST NEAR MANITOU. 13 

Glen Eyrie is situated at the entrance of Queen's Canon and is a wild and 
romantic retreat in which is built the summer residence of a gentleman of wealth. 
Within the glen, which is made sylvan by thickly-growing native shrubbery, 
covered with wild clematis, are a great confusion of enormous pillars of exquisitely 
tinted pink sandstone. 

Cathedral Rock and the Major Domo, which have gained a world-wide 
fame through pictures and descriptions, are to be found in Glen Eyrie, as are 
also "The Sisters," "Vulcan's Anvil" and "Melrose Abbey." These are all grand 
and impressive shapes of stone glowing with the most brilliant hues of red and 
pink, of cream and white and umber. 

Bear Creek Canon is reached by taking the road to Colorado Springs and 
turning to the right just before reaching Colorado City. This is a beautiful drive 
of five miles, at the end of which the government trail to Pike's Peak carries the 
horsemen and footmen to the summit. The Canon is a picturesque wooded glen 
with a dashing torrent and abounding in wild flowers. 

The Cheyenne Canons are favorite resorts for picnic and pleasure parties. 
Both these caiions give one a good idea of the gorges which abound in the fast- 
nesses of the Rocky Mountains. They are deep gashes in the heart of Cheyenne 
Mountain and display grand faces of magnificent red granite hundreds of feet 
in height. The Douglas spruce, the Rocky Mountain pine, the white spruce, and 
that most lovely tree of all, the Picea Grandis, grow in great numbers in both 
canons, while the Virginia creeper, two species of clematis (mauve and whitei 
and other climbers add grace and charm to the scene. A stairway at the Seven 
Falls in South Cheyenne Canon leads to the last resting place of "H. H.," Helen 
Hunt Jackson, who selected this spot for her grave. The stream in North 
Cheyenne Canon is larger than that in the southern gorge, but the latter forms a 
magnificent cascade, descending five hundred feet in seven leaps. 

Seven Falls is the name given to the cascade referred to above and it is 
well worthy of the admiration its beauty always excites. 

The Cheyenne Mountain Toll Road is well worth seeing. It ascends 
the mountains about one-half mile south of the entrance to South Cheyenne 
Canon, winding for about ten miles, with easy grades, through very fine scenery, 
and at times affording glimpseadown in the canon below. 

The Seven Lakes are reached by means of the last described road. The 
lakes are picturesque, as such sheets of water usually are among the mountains, 
and there is a hotel for the accommodation of visitors. 

"My Garden" is a very favorite resort, discovered by "H.H.,"the authoress 
and poet. Take the Cheyenne road one and a half miles from Colorado Springs, 
then follow due south past Broadmoor dairy farm half a mile, then through a 
gate across the "Big Hollow," and "My Garden" is reached, a lovely pine grove 
crowning a plateau, with an exquisite view of the range behind it. 

Templeton's Gap — A very pleasant drive can be taken to Templeton's Gap, 
which is situated just north of Austin's Bluffs, and is a sharp depression in the 
surrounding hills characterized by quaint monumental forms of rock. 

Ute Pass leads westward from Manitou over the range into South Park. It 
is now a wagon road cut in many places from the face of the cliff, the rocks 
towering thousands of feet above it on one side, and on the other presenting a 
sheer descent of nearly as many feet down to where the Fountain brawls along 
over its rugged channel. The Pass was formerly used as a pony trail by the Ute 
Indians in their descents to the plains and in their visits to the "Big Medicine" of 
the healing springs— the name given Manitou by the aborigines. No pleasanter 
ride or drive can be taken than up Ute Pass. The scenery is grand and the view 
one of great loveliness. 

Rainbow Falls are only a mile and a half from Manitou up the Pass, and 
are well worthy of a visit. They are the most accessible and the most beautiful 
falls on the eastern slope of the Rockies and are visited by thousands of tourists 
each season. 

THE MANITOU GRAND CAVERNS. 

The route to the caverns takes us up the historic and beautiful Ute Pass to a 
point beyond Rainbow Falls, where the road turns to the right and climbs by an 
easy grade to the elevated spur above. 



14 PLACES OF INTEREST NEAR MANITOU. 

The caverns are located amid the most superb scenery. Directly in front, as 
we stand at the portal, Pike's Peak is reared above the lesser domes of the 
Rockies, its majestic snowy crest standing out boldly agamst the clear sky. 
Below is the winding road, and by a moment's walk along the slope southward, a 
view is obtained hardly to be suri)assed within the whole range of the mountams. 
Deep and shadowy Williams Canon is at our feet, and in the valley far below, 
nestled at the gateway of the Pass, is Manitou Springs. Out upon the plam 
beyond the mesa, we note Colorado Springs, and gaze across the vast level 
expanse beyond as one looks out upon the sea. 

There are three routes from the vestibule to choose from, leading to separate 
groups of chambers in the cave. In Canopy Avenue, the student of geology will 
be interested in the fossils and well defined animal remains discovered. This 
avenue terminates in Stalactite Hall. 

Again, finding the vestibule, we pass through the narrows, and passmg the 
cascade, enter the Rotunda, stalagmites springing from the floor to meet the 
pendant stalactites that grace the ceiling. There is much in this fairy chamber 
to suggest the famed crystal caves of Bellamar. near Matanzas, Cuba. 

A great chamber, with a ceiling not kss than sixty feet from the level floor, 
has been named the Opera House. Here is Andromeda still chained to the rock. 

Passing beneath the Natural Bridge, galleries are reached by a stairway 
leading to the superb Guadaloupe Dome and Concert Hall. The visitor, upon 
entering, faces the organ loft, thirty feet from the floor, where, as though built in 
the wall of the cavern, stands the famous stalactite organ, formed of clear 
stalactites from a few inches to several feet in length and one-fourth to three- 
fourths of an inch in thickness. This natural instrument, under the touch of a 
player, gives the full musical scale, resembling in tone the! beautiful organ of a 
village church. 

In the third route, Hanging Rock, caught in the grip of the cleft above our 
heads, is noticed, and then we are in the presenee of Rainbow Falls, or the Interior 
Cascade and the Fairy Bridal Chamber. 

Manitou Park is reached by a ride of twenty miles up Ute Pass and is a 
favorite resort for tourists. Hunting and fishing are excellent here and good 
accommodations are to be had. Those who enjoy camping will find this a partic- 
ularly pleasing and satisfactory place. • 

Williams Canon is within ten minutes walk of any of the hotels and is 
situated northwest of the town. It is picturesque in the extreme. Its lofty walls 
of vari-colored rocks, broken into battlements and towers and soaring pinnacles, 
are a never-ending source of surprise and delight. 

The Cave of the Winds, very similar to the Grand Caverns, is situated in 
Williams Cafn)n, and on the "Temple Drive." 

Engleman's Caxon — In this canon are located the famed Iron Spring, the 
Iron Spring Hotel and terminus of the Pike's Peak Railway. Electric cars 
traverse its length, connecting with Manitou itself. 

Pike's Peak Trail — The ascent of Pike's Peak is made by following the 
trail beyond the Iron Springs. The scenery is superb and the trip can be made 
on horseback the entire distance. It can be accomplished in six hours and the 
grand view from the summit will thoroughly repay the tourist for all the expense 
and fatigue of the trip. 

Red Canon is so called from the brilliant color of its rocks, which are stained 
in the deepest crimson. It is three miles east of Manitou and is reached by 
taking the road to Colorado Springs and turning to the right about a mile west 
of Colorado City. 

Crystal Park is fifteen hundred feet above Manitou and immediately south 
of the city. There is a wagon road leading to the Park four miles long. The 
entrance is through a narrow gorge and once inside a grand spectacle greets the 
eye. A level plateau of land is seen, largely covered by young and thrifty pine 
trees; two streams cross this plateau and unite near the gateway. The park is 
bordered by high bluffs and mountains. Cameron's Cone is boldly outlined 
against the sky at the southwest. 

The Mesa Road is a beautiful drive of five miles. It is best reached, from 
Manitou, by way of the Garden of the Gods. Turning to the right from the lodge 
gates of Glen Eyrie, the road ascends the great bluff and reaches the summit of 
the mesa, hence its name. This plateau is as level as a table, and the road for 



THE pike's peak RAILROAD. 15 

three miles rivals in smoothness the most perfect of boulevards. The view from 
the mesa is grand and comprehensive and no one should omit from his pro- 
gramme a drive over this road between Manitou and Colorado Springs. 

The Manitou Bath House — Manitou is provided with one of the largest 
and most complete bath houses in Colorado. The buiMing is an ornament to the 
town, being in the Queen Anne style of architecture and supplied with all the 
modern improvements. Baths furnished with the healing waters of the mineral 
springs can be taken at any degree of temperature and under the directions of a 
physician and skilled attendants. 



THE PIKE'S PEAK RAILROAD. 

The Cog Wheel Railroad to the summit of Pike's Peak, which was completed 
and put in operation on July i, i8gi, is the most novel railway in the world. 
When it reaches its objective point above the clouds, at a height of 14,147 feet 
above sea-level, it renders almost insignificant, by comparison, the famous cog- 
way up Mt. Washington and the incline railway up the Rhigi in Switzerland. 
From its station in Manitou, just above the Iron Springs, to the station on the 
summit of Pike's Peak, the Manitou & Pike's Peak Railway is just eight and 
nine-tenths miles in length. The cost of construction of the road was a half 
million of dollars. While it could have been built for many thousands of dollars 
less by putting in wooden bridges and trestles, light ties and light rails, those in 
charge of the building of the road would not consent to the use of any flimsy 
material for the sake of the saving of any sum of money— a substantial road that 
would insure absolute safety being economical, as well as a guarantee for putting 
the road from the start on a paymg basis. The roadbed is solid and from fifteen 

to twenty feet wide, leaving 
1 fully five feet on each side of 
the cars. The culverts are solid 
masonry; the four short bridges 
are of iron girders resting on 
first-class masonry. There are 
an extra number of ties which 
are extra heavy and extra long. 
The rails are standard "T" rails 
with a double cog rail in the 
center. This cog rail weighs 
one hundred and ten tons to the 
mile, which is unusually heavy. 
At intervals of every two 
hundred feet the track is 
anchored to solid masonry to 
prevent any possibility of the 
track slipping from its bed. The 
cars are designed to hang low — 
within eighteen inches of the 
rails. Each engine has three 
cogand pinionappliances, which 
can be worked together or inde- 
-^ ^ »' pendently. In each cog appli- 

ance is a double set of pinion 
brakes that work in the cog, either one of which when used can stop the engine 
in ten inches, going either way, on any grade and at the maximum speed, eight 
miles an hour. The cars are not tilted, but the seats are arranged so as to give 
the passenger a level sitting. The engine pushes the cars, instead of drawing 
them, which is of great advantage in the fact that the passengers' eyes are not 
constantly menaced by cinders. The cars also work independently of engine 
and can be let down alone if necessary. Fifty people make a load for the 
train and about three hours are consumed in making the round trip. Stops are 
made at interesting points on the way up. Three trips per day are made, and 
a visit to the summit of the grand old mountain can be made in half a day with 
ease and comfort. 




ON TOP 

PIKE'S PEAK 



l6 GRAND SCENKRY OF THE ASCENT — PUEBLO. 

GRAND SCENERY OF THE ASCENT. 

As the ascent is made, many opportunities are given for exquisite views of 
the world below, through vistas in the trees, with the eastern plains glowing in 
the sunshine, and extending as far as vision reaches, and limited only by the blue 
horizon's verge. 

When the headwaters of Ruxton Creek are reached, the road curves to the 
southwest, and "Windy Point" is attained, f rom here one has a distinct view of 
Manitou, Colorado City and Colorado Springs. The "Cathedral Spires" and the 
"Great Gateway" of the Garden of the Gods appear like the castles set by the 
giants for a stupendous game of chess. We are now far above timber-line. On 
all sides can be seen strange flowers, of lovely forms and varied hues. Plants 
which attain considerable proportions on the plains are here reduced to their 
lowest terms. It is not an unusual thing to find a sunflower-stalk on the prairies 
rising to a height of from eight to ten feet; here they grow like dandelions in the 
grass, yet retaining all their characteristics of form and color. Beyond this 
mountain meadow are great fields of disintegrated granite, broken cubes of pink 
rock, so vast in extent that they might well be the ruins of all the ancient cities 
in the world. Far below flash the waters of Lake Morain, and beyond, to the 
southward, lie the Seven Lakes. Another turn of the track to the northward, and 
the shining rails stretch almost straight up what appears to be an inaccessible 
wall of precipitous granite. But no physical obstruction is formidable enough to 
stop the progress of this marvelous railway; and, passing the yawning abyss of 
the "Crater," the line proceeds direct to the summit. The grade here is one of 
twenty-five per cent and timid passengers will not escape a thrill of fear as they 
gaze over the brink of this precipice, although the danger is absolutely nothing. 
At last the summit is reached, and disembarking, the tourist can seek refresh- 
ments in the station and then spend the time before the train returns in enjoying 
the view and in rambling over the seventy acres of broken granite which form the 
summit. 

Pike's Peak has long been an object of admiration to the world because of its 
commanding position and the glamour thrown around it by history and tradition. 

The majesty of greatness and the mystery of minuteness are here brought 
face to face. The thoughtful mind is awed by the contemplation of this scene, 
and when the reflection comes that these great spaces are but grains of sand on 
an infinite shore of creation, and that there are worlds of beauty as vast and varied 
between the tiny flowers and the ultimate researches of the microscope as those 
which exist on an ascending scale between the flowers and the great globe itself, 
the mind is overwhelmed with wonder and admiration. 



PUEBLO. 

Manufacturing and Commercial City. 

Pueblo lies on both sides of the Arkansas River in a basin 

Population, 36,000 surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges, but at a distance 
Elevation, - 4,672 of thirty miles from the foothills. The original town was a 
trading post in early days, at the junction of the Fontaine-qui- 
Bouille, or boiling spring, with the Arkansas. 

Upon the arrival of its first railroad, the Denver & Rio Grande, in 1874, the 
town grew quite rapidly, and the new town of South Pueblo was organized, now 
consolidated with Pueblo proper, making in population the second city of the 
State. The awakening of the mining interest of the State, as witnessed in the 
rapid growth of Leadville and the development of the coal, iron and other 
mineral territory tributary to Pueblo, settled the destiny of this locality as the 
future "Pittsburg of the West." 

Near Pueblo are excellent quarries of limestone for manufacturing and building 
purposes. West, some thirty miles, are the famous Canon coal fields, containing 
the best fuel for domestic and steam-heating purposes found west of Pennsylvania. 
Low altitude, cheap fuel and close proximity to the many mineral districts of the 
State, make this location the natural point for all kinds of manufacturing. 

Three extensive smelting works located here produce great quantities of lead 
and silver bullion, refined lead, silver, gold and copper. Here are located the 
large steel works of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, where the visitor can see 
in course of manufacture pig iron, Bessemer steel rails, steel and iron nails, 



TRINIDAD. 17 

castings and merchant bar iron, all from Colorado ores. Every material used in 
the manufacture of iron in many forms is found near Pueblo. Besides these 
there are numerous foundries, machine shops and various other manufacturing 
establishments, including a woolen mill, a glass factory and furniture factory. 

Pueblo is the center of the Rio Grande Railroad system, which, with its three 
rails for standard and narrow gauge cars and its eighteen hundred miles of rock- 
ballasted roadbed penetrates the mountain fastnesses of the Rockies, and brings 
down hill to Pueblo, from all points of the compass, the products of the vast 
mineral fields of the State, here to be transmuted into articles of utility, or to be 
transhipped across the plains. 

In addition to the many diverging lines of the Denver & Rio Grande, the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, the Missouri 
Pacific and Colorado & Southern Railways center at Pueblo, supplymg the city 
with rail communication unsurpassed. 

Through Pueblo the tourist passes to reach Espanola, Durango and Silverton 
on the south, Leadville, Glenwood Springs, Gunnison, Grand Junction. Salt Lake 
City and Ogden on the western route for San Francisco. 

Situated in the heart of a magnificent agricultural and horticultural region, 
and the hundreds of mining camps of the Rockies, Pueblo presents not only an 
inviting field for all kinds of mercantile enterprises, which makes it a prominent 
wholesale point, but with its low altitude, equable climate and warm rnagnetic 
mineral springs, superior hotel accommodations and every facility for enjoyment, 
it is one of the best winter resorts for invalids to be found in the Union. 

The level mesa on the south and the broken hills in the northern portion of 
the city are delightful locations for homes and public parks. 

Hotels— Pueblo is adequately supplied with first-class hotels, among which 
may be mentioned and recommended, the Grand, Union Depot, St. James, 
Victoria, Southern, Farris and others of lesser note. 

Parnassus Springs— A pleasant drive of twelve miles, southwest from 
Pueblo, takes us to Parnassus Springs, among the foothills of the Greenhorn 
Mountains. These waters— muriated alkaline— have been tested with marked 
benefits, especially in cases characterized as gastric complaints. 

Carlisle Springs are situated twenty miles above Pueblo, on the Arkansas 
River. These purgative alkaline waters are as yet unimproved, but give good 
promise of becoming popular on account of their medicinal qualities. 

Clark's Magnetic Mineral Spring— This celebrated spring has a large 
and elegant bath house, fitted up with all the latest improvements and conveiiiences 
for bathing. Good hotel accommodations have also been added convenient to 
the spring, which, with the marvelous curative properties of the water, low 
altitude, fine climate and railroad connections with all points, make it the most 
desirable health resort in the West. The water is used both internally and 
externally; it is clear, bright and agreeable to the taste as it issues from the 
spring at a temperature of 80° Fahrenheit, being readily absorbed by the system, 
and agreeable and soothing to the dyspeptic. This water has acquired a national 
reputation for curing Bright's disease of the kidneys. 



TRINIDAD. 

Commercial and Manufacturing City. 

. Trinidad is situated on the Southern extension of the 

Population, 7,000 Denver & Rio Grande R. R., two hundred and eleven miles 
Elevation, - 6,994 from Denver, and being the largest city in Southern Colorado, 
is the trade and money center for an immense territory, includ- 
ing portions of Northern Texas, Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. 
In natural resources, Trinidad is exceedingly rich, being the center of the largest 
coal belt in the world and the supply depot for all the coke used in the Great 
West. In addition to coal and coke in the immediate vicinity, iron exists in 
unlimited quantities. The supply of gypsum, granite, alum, fire clay, silica, grit, 
or grindstone, limestone and the finest of building stone is absolutely inexhaust- 
ible. Trindad, from the natural deposits alone, must of necessity become a 
manufacturing center of vast importance and has already taken advance steps in 
this regard. The manufacture of cement, mineral paint, lime and plaster of paris 
are all important industries, while the production of building brick is very large m 



l8 LA VliTA I'ASS. 

its proportions. Fire brick and silica brick will soon be an additional industry. In 
and around Trinidad no less than four thousand laborers are now employed, and 
this large and daily increasing number of men spend their money in Trinidad. 
The city has waterworks, gas works, electric light, street cars and other metropol- 
itan improvements. The schools and churches arc very superior, while the 
business houses and residences are a credit to the city. Situated 5,994 feet above 
the level of the sea, insures a delightful climate, free from malaria and other 
poisons common to lower altitudes, while the scenic surroundings are unsurpassed. 
Trinidad is a railroad center, with three great trunk lines already in operation, 
with three more moving toward it. Trinidad is the most important wool center in 
Colorado, being the original market for 3,000,000 pounds. The city is also a 
great cattle center, and for that reason, the largest hide and pelt receiving point 
of the State. Woolen mills and tanneries are a certainty. To-day Trinidad is 
enjoying an unprecedented growth, doing more building than any other city in 
proportion to population, between the Mississippi River and Pacific Ocean. It is 
a point of interest on the "Scenic Line of the World," which none can afford to 
pass without at least a visit. 

Hotels — Trinidad is well supplied with accommodations for the public. 
Among its hotels may be mentioned the Southern, the Grand Union, the Trinidad 
and the United States. 

LA VETA PASS. 

During the summer of 1899 the line from Cuchara Junction, via Veta Pass 
to Alamosa, was changed from narrow to standard gauge, and in seeking easier 
grades and curves the famous "Veta Pass" and " i\luleshoe Curve" were aban- 
doned and an entirely new route followed over the range. The new pass is called 
La Veta Pass, and the scenery, if possible, is superior to that of the old route. 

The road climbs in tortuous windings around the foot of gigantic hills 
covered with virgin forests of spruce and pine. 

The view to the eastward is one of great extent and magnificence. The 
plains stretch onward to the dim horizon line like a gently undulating ocean, 
from which rises the twin cones of the Wahatoya, strangely fascinating in their 
symmetrical beauty. 

The train rolls steadily forward on its winding course, at last reaching the 
apex, glides into the timber and halts at the summit, 9,242 feet above the level of 
the distant sea. The downward journey is past Sierra Blanca and Old Fort 
Garland and through that pastoral and picturesque park known as San Luis 
Valley, and rejoins the old roadbed at Wagon Creek Junction and continues 
through the fertile valley to Alamosa. 

The changing of the gauge of this piece of road will largely increase the 
business and shipnients of the San Luis Valley, and enable the farmers and grain 
dealers to ship the wheat and other grains grown in the valley to the Eastern 
markets in unbroken car-load lots. 

The line will ultimately be made standard gauge to Creede, the famous gold 
and silver camp at the terminus of the Creede laranch; and to Antonito, twenty- 
eight miles south of Alamosa, the junction point of the main line and the 
Santa F^ branch. 

FoKT Garland is situated at the western foot of La Veta Pass, near which 
San Luis Valley begins to unfold its panorama of mountains, buttes, mesas and 

filains. For many years Fort Garland was occujiicd by United States troops as a 
rontier military station, but the advent of the I)envcr & Rio Grande R. R. and 
accompanying civilization has rendered its presence supererogatory and it has 
been abandoned. A scattering village remains, together with the interesting ruins 
of the dismantled fort. 

Sierra Blanca— It is doubtful if any other railroad in the world affords, in 
an equal distance, so fine a view of mountain and plain as that unfolded by the 
twenty-four miles' ride on the Denver iM: Rio Grande R. R., from Fort Garland to 
Alamosa. At the right, rising directly from the valley, the lower slopes clad in 
vast forests of pine, appear the sublime heights of Sierra Blanca, its grand cluster 
of white granite ]:)eaks lifting into the sky their sharp pinnacles, splintered and 
furrowed by the hand of the Almighty. It is 14,483 feet high, or over two miles 
and four-fifths, and the highest mountain in Colorado. Surely it is worth a 
journey across the contment to obtain such a view of such a mountain. Although 



ALAMOSA — WAGON WHEEL GAP. IQ 

a part of the range, it stands out into the park like a monarch taking precedence 
of a lordly retinue. Two-thirds of its height are above timber line, bare and 
desolate, and except for a month or two of the summer, dazzling white with snow, 
while in its abysmal gorges it holds eternal reservoirs of ice. To the north and 
south, in bold relief for a distance of nearly two hundred miles, it is flanked by 
the serrated pinnacles of the Sangre de Cristo Range. 

San Luis Valley, at the eastern verge of which Sierra Blanca stands, may be 
likened to a portion of the great plains, larger than the State of Connecticut, set 
in among the Rocky Mountains. There is a large extent of irrigable land in this 
valley, only a portion of which has been improved. The valley is rapidly filling 
up with thrifty farmers and the population shows an annual mcrease of at least 
twenty-five per cent. Wherever irrigation has been practiced the soil has 
responded with valuable crops. The I\io Grande alone is capable of furnishing 
water to irrigate a large portion of the valley and there are several other streams 
whose waters may be used. 



ALAMOSA. 

Railroad Center. Distributing Point. 



Population, 7,200 
Elevation, - 7,546 



Alamosa is the junctional point of four of the important 
lines of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. The standard-gauge 
line leading from Pueblo via LaVeta Pass; the San Luis Valley 
branch to the north through the fertile valley of the same 
name to Salida; the line to the hot springs and fishing resorts of Wagon Wheel 
Gap, the great wheat belt of Del Norte and Monte Vista and the famous mining 
region at Creede; and the line .to Durango and Silverton via Toltec Gorge, with 
its important branch to Santa Fe. With the many diverging lines of railway 
through territory rich in coal, lumber, grain and precious ores, Alamosa jumps 
at once to a prominent place in the list of Colorado's important towns. It is the 
distributing |)oint for the entire San Luis Valley, where the wheat crop reaches 
marvelous proportions. Flouring mills, grain elevators and kindred business 
interests flourish. 

Hotels — The Victoria Hotel, recently constructed of fine white lava stone, 
has all the modern comforts, including a most excellent cuisine. 



Population, - 100 
Elevation, - 8,449 



WAGON WHEEL GAP. 

Hunting, Fishing and Healtli Resort. 

On the Creede branch of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R., 
and on the Rio Grande River, the best trout stream in Southern 
Colorado, in the midst of a region still swarm.ing with elk and 
deer and bear, is Wagon Wheel Gap, which has become the 
favorite sporting ground for the lovers of the rod and gun. It is more than this, 
however, for the hot springs here are famed for their almost miraculous curative 
properties. The scenery is wonderfully beautiful. As the gap is approached the 
valley narrows until the river is hemmed in between massive walls of solid rock 
that rise to such a height on either side as to throw the passage into twilight 
shadow. The river rushes roaring down over gleaming gravel or precipitous 
ledges. Progressipg, the scene becomes wilder and more romatic, until at last 
the waters of the Rio Grande pour through a cleft in the rocks just wide enough 
to allow the construction of a road along the river's edge. On the right, as one 
enters, tower clifts to a tremendous height, suggestive in their appearance to the 
Palisades of the Hudson. On the left rises the round shoulder of a massive 
mountain. The vast wall is unbroken for more than half a mile, its crest presenting 
an almost unserrated sky line. Once through the Gap the traveler, looking to the 
south, sees a valley encroached upon and surrounded by hills. Here is an old 
stage station, a primitive and picturesque structure of hewn logs and adobe, one 
story in height, facing the south, and made cool and inviting by wide-roofed 
verandas extending along its entire front. Not a hundred feet away rolls the 
Rio Grande River, swarming with trout. A drive of a mile along a winding road, 
each turn in which reveals new scenic beauties, brings the tourist to the famous 



20 CKEEOE. 

springs. The medicinal qualities of the waters, both of the cold and hot springs, 
have been thoroughly tested and proved equal, if not superior to the Hot 
Springs of Arkansas. 

Hotels— The Hot Springs Hotel is situated at the site of the springs and 
is first-class in every i)articular. The hotel is provided with every variety of 
baths, including two large swimming reservoirs. The Wagon Wheel Gap Hotel 
is contiguous to the station and furnishes good accommodations. 

The Springs— One of the freaks of nat.ure is a large hot spring from which 
the steam is constantly rismg, while within a half dozen feet bubbles up another 
spring of ice-cold water. Lieutenant G. M. Wheeler, U.S. A., gives the foilo\ying 
analysis of these springs: No. i has a temperature of about 150° Fahrenheit, is 
bubbling continually, and is about eight feet wide by twelve feet long; No. 2 is a 
small bubbling spring, cold, about one foot in diameter, and gives out a strong 
odor of sulphureted hydrogen; No. 3 is situated some distance from Nos. i and 
2, at the foot of a hill; it bubbles continually and is of a temperature of 140° 
Fahrenheit. This spring is about three feel wide and the same in length; it is 
called the Soda Spring. In one thousand parts of the water of the springs of the 
Wagon Wheel Gap are contained parts as follows: 

" No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. , 

Sodium Carbonate 69.42 Trace i44-5o 

Litliium Carbonate Trace Trace Trace 

Calcium Carbonate 1408 31.00 22.42 

Magnesium Carbonate 10.91 5.10 22.42 

Potassium Sulphate Trace Trace Trace 

Sodium Sulphate 23.73 io-5o 13-76 

Sodium Chloride 29.25 11.72 33.31 

Silicic Acid 5-73 i-07 4-72 

Orpanic Matter Trace Trace 

Sulphureted Hydrogen Trace 12.00 

Total 152.12 71.39 21S.77 

Antelope Springs — Twenty miles west of Wagon Wheel Gap, in Antelope 
Park, are situated Antelope Springs, in a region which is becoming a great resort 
lor sportsmen and abounding in fish and game. The waters of the springs are 
medicinal and resemble the more widely known mineral waters of the Gap, in 
that they are both hot and cold and differ among themselves in their mineral con- 
stituents. The scenery is wild and beautiful. For a hunting party, or as a place 
for a few days' outing in camp, no more pleasing spot can be found. 

Trout Fishing in the Rio Grande — There is no stream on the eastern 
slope of the Rocky Mountains that affords finer trout fishing than the Rio Grande. 
Trout reaching the wonderful weight of nine pounds have been frequently taken 
and those weighing from one to three pounds can be caught in great abundance. 
This is undoubtedly one of the best fishing resorts in America. 



CREEDE. 

Mining Town. 



Population, 2,000 
Elevation, - 9,016 



Ten miles beyond Wagon Wheel Gap and on an extension 
of this branch of the road is Creede, the famous mining camp. 
This camp was located but a few years ago and is to-day one 
of the largest producing camps in the State. While Creede is 
known as a silver camp it is not distinctly so. The ore in that district varies, and 
almost every property has more or less of a percentage of gold. The vein matter 
is so rich in the leading mines that even did they not contain gold they could be 
worked at a profit. But with Leadville, so with Creede. The deeper the mines 
are going, the heavier the percentage of gold. This has been the invariable rule 
with the large producing pro{)erties, which, from the indications, will soon have 
enough gold to pay for their working. The camp is active and is progressing. 
A great deal of development work is going on, contracts being let for extensive 
work every day. New districts are being opened up, revealing new formations 
and good paying ore. The properties that first brought the camp into promi- 
nence are continuing their large output. 

There are several good hotels in Creede, and the wayfarer will be assured of 
all modirn comforts. 



OJO CALIENTE — ESPASoLA— INDIAN PUEBLOS. 21 

OJO CALIENTE. 

Health Resort. Hot Springs. 
The celebrated hot springs of Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, 



Population, - 300 are situated eleven miles west of Barranca, a station a few 
Eleuation, - 7,324 miles north of the entrance to Comanche Cafion, on the Santa 
Fe branch of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R., and sixty- 
four miles south of Antonito. Stages to and from the springs connect with 
passenger trains, making quick time over an excellent road. The altitude of the 
springs is about 7,000 feet and the climate at all seasons of the year mild and 
pleasant. The springs have been noted for their curative qualities from time 
immemorial, having been frequented by the Indians previous to Spanish occupa- 
tion and highly esteemed by both races since that date. They have proved 
remarkably successful in the treatment of rheumatism, skin diseases, derange- 
ment of the kidneys and bladder and especially of all venereal diseases. Cases 
of paralysis, after resisting the usual appliances of medicine, have been sent to 
Ojo Caliente and immediately and permanently relieved. The springs lie in a 
pleasant valley, 1,000 feet lower than Barranca, surrounded by high bluffs capped 
with basaltic cliffs. On the top of these cliffs are table-lands, on which are found 
the ruins of prehistoric buildings not unlike the Indian pueblos of the present 
day, but of which the Indians know nothing and even their traditions furnish no 
account. Four miles above the village are larger springs of tepid water, the 
mineral deposits from which have built up great mounds full of strange caves and 
glittering with saline incrustations. About three miles from Ojo Caliente is a 
high mountain called Cerro Colorado, from its peculiar reddish brown color, 
which, according to the statement of the inhabitants, exhibited marked evidences 
of volcanic action only sixty years ago. It has a well-defined crater and offers an 
inviting field for the investigations of the geologist. 

Hotels — The Hot Springs Hotel is provided with all the modern comforts 
and conveniences for guests. 

Comanche Can^on is encountered a short distance above Embudo, on the 
Santa Fe branch of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. By means of this canon 
the road makes its descent to the Rio Grande Valley. The caiion is rugged, 
difficult and striking, frequent cuts are made through hills of marl overlaid 
with a drift of basaltic rock, and the marvels of engineering share the tourist's 
admiration with the grandeur of the scenery. 



Population, - 100 
Eleuation, - 6,590 



ESPANOLA. 

EspaS'OLA is situated on the Rio Grande del Norte and on 
the Santa Fe Branch of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. 
It is in the heart of a quaint and interesting region, closely 
contiguous to the ruins of the ancient cliff dwellings and 
pueblos of the remnants of the aboriginal inhabitants of the country. A week or 
longer can be profitably spent here in visiting the points of interest in the vicinity. 
The Mexican town of Santa Cruz, the Indian pueblos of San Juan, Santa Clara 
and San Yldefonso and the cliff ruins, near Santa Clara, are all of supreme 
interest. This is a very delightful route to reach Santa Fe, via the line of the 
Denver and Rio Grande, which has been completed to the ancient Mexican city, 
and the ride through the wind-carved sand hills and past ruins of prehistoric 
races is of great interest. 

INDIAN PUEBLOS. 

Santa Cruz is a most interesting old Mexican town, situated on the Rio 
Grande del Norte directly opposite Espanola. Its chief attraction is the ancient 
church, erected in the sixteenth century, which contains several paintings and 
images sent over from Spain at the time of the conquest. 

The Pueblo of San Juan is situated on the Rio Grande, opposite Chamita, 
about four miles from Espanola, and one and a half miles from the railroad. 
There are twenty-six similar Indian towns, nineteen of which are situated in 
■New Mexico and seven in Arizona. Nine of them are on the line of the Denver 



INDIAN FESTIVAL AT PUEBLO DE TAOS. 23 

& Rio Grande R., R., or its immediate vicinity, viz: Taos, Picurio, San Juan, 
Santa Clara, San Yldefonso, Pojaque, Nombe, Cuyamauque and Tesuque. ■ The 
different pueblos closely resemble each other in construction. The dwellings are 
all built of mud-colored adobe, or sun-dried bricks, and are arranged so as to 
enclose a plaza or public square. The walls are from two to four feet in thickness 
and the roofs are of timbers covered with dirt a foot or more in depth. Many 
houses are two, and some even four or five stories, or rather terraces, in height, 
each successive story being set back some twelve or fifteen feet from the side 
walls of the next story below. The usual manner of entering these dwellings is 
by ascending a ladder outside the building to the roof and through a hole 
descending into the interior by another ladder, though some, as a modern 
improvement, have doors cut in the side walls. This method was doubtless 
adopted as a defensive measure during troublesome times, when it was often 
necessary to convert the pueblo into a fortress from which to repel hostile 
invasions. 

Pueblo of Santa Clara — A few miles below the pueblo of San Juan, and 
one and one-half miles south of Espaiiola, is the pueblo of Santa Clara. Its 
characteristics are similar to those of the pueblos already described. 

The Pueblo de Taos — Thirty miles from Tres Piedras and twenty miles 
above Embudo is the Pueblo de Taos. This is considered the most interesting as 
well as the most perfect specimen of a Pueblo Indian fortress. It consists of two 
communistic houses, each five stories high, and a Roman Catholic church (now in 
a ruined condition) which stands near, although apart from, the dwellings. Around 
the fortress are seven circular mounds, which at first suggests the idea of being 
the work of Mound Builders. On further examination they prove to be the 
sweating chambers or Turkish baths of this curious people. The largest appears 
also to serve the purpose of a council chamber and mystic hall, where rites 
peculiar to the tribe (about which they are very reticent) are performed. The 
Pueblo Indians delight to adorn themselves in gay colors, and form very interest- 
ing and picturesque subjects for the artist, especially when associated with their 
quaint surroundings. They are skilled in the manufacture of pottery, basket- 
making and bead work. The grand annual festival of these Indians occurs on the 
30th of September, and the ceremonies are of a peculiarly interesting character. 

All of these ancient pueblos are easy of access via the Denver & Rio 
Grande R. R. and abound in objects of interest, dating back many hundreds 
of years before the occupation of the country by the whites, and will fully repay 
the tourist for the time and expense necessary to visit them. 



INDIAN FESTIVAL AT PUEBLO DE TAOS. 

Jesuitism has grafted its faith upon the superstitions of the Montezumas 
and a curious fruitage is the result. The mystic rites of the Pueblo Indians, 
performed at Pueblo de Taos in honor of San Geronimo (St. Jerome) upon each 
succeeding 30th day of September, attract large concourses of people and are of 
great interest to either the ethnologist, ecclesiastic or tourist. A brief description 
can give but a faint idea of these ceremonies, but may serve to arouse an interest 
in this matter. In the early morning of St. Jerome's day, a black-robed Indian 
makes a recitation from the top of the pueblo to the assembled multitude below. 
In the plaza stands a pine-tree pole fifty feet in height, and from a cross piece at 
the top dangles a live sheep with legs tied together and back down. Besides the 
sheep, a garland of such fruits and vegetables as the valley produces, together 
with a basket of bread and grain, hang from the pole. The bell in the little 
adobe chapel sounds and a few of the Indians go into mass. A curious service 
follows. A rubicund Mexican priest is the celebrant, while two old Mexicans in 
mondern dress and a Pueblo Indian in a red blanket are acolytes. When the 
host is elevated, an Indian at the door beats a villainous drum and four musket 
shots are discharged. After the services are concluded a procession is formed 
and marches to the race track, which is 300 yards in length. The runners have 
prepared themselves in the estufas, or underground council chambers, and soon 
appear. There are fifty of them and all are naked except a breechcloth and are 
painted no two alike. Fifty other runners to contest with these arrive from the 
other pueblo. They form in line on either side of the course and a slow, graceful 



24 SANTA FE— SCENERY ON THE SILVERTON EXTENSION. 

dance ensues. All at once 300 mad young Mexicans rush through the throng on 
their wild jioMics, the leader swinging by the neck the gallo, or cock. Then the 
races begin, two runners from each side darting down the track, cheered In- their 
comi>anions. No sooner do they reach the goal than two others start off, and thus 
for two hours, until the sum of victories gained l)y individuals entitles one j)arty 
or the other to claim success. The race decided, the runners range themselves 
in two facing lines and, preceded by the tlrum, l)egin a slow, side-wise march. 
Now the excitement runs high. The lines are broken and the Indians, chanting 
weirdly, have hard work to make their way through the struggling mass of 2,000 
or 3,000 spectators. To add to the excitement, the women cast loaves of bread 
and cakes from the terraces of the pueblo, for which all scramble in a headlong, 
hap-hazard fashion. At length the estufas have again swallowed up the runners 
and the forenoon ceremonies are ended. The afternoon from 3 to 5 o'clock is 
consumed by the antics of six naked and hideously painted clowns. As the sun 
nears the west, interest centers around the pole, where the poor sheep still hangs. 
After many mimic attemjits the pole is climbed and, amid the yells of the 
on-lookers, the sheep is thrown to the ground. The fruits and grain speedily 
follow. All are carried off by the clowns, amidst the wildest excitement, and 
St. Jerome is supposed to rejoice in this happy conclusion of the festival in his 
honor. This descrijition is necessarily brief and gives but a faint idea of this 
sjiectacle. The festival is well worthy a journey to see it, and the Denver (S: 
Kio Grande R. R. will make special rates for parties who desire to be present 
when these rites are performed. 

Accessible Cliff Dwellings— One of the most attractive portions of 
Colorado to the scientist, antiquarian, or, indeed, the general tourist, is that part 
in which are found the cliff dwellings of a long since extinct race. The most 
accessible of these prehistoric remains are situated about five miles from 
Espanolo, near Santa Cruz Creek. Here a large extent of country is covered 
with these puzzling remains. It is only recently that they have been discovered 
and, though the most accessible of any yet found, have been seen by but few 
people. Any resident of Espanola can serve as a guide for the exploring trip, 
which should be made on horseback. The ruins are of great interest and must 
soon become widely known. 

SANTA FE. 

Capital of New Mexico. * 

Santa Fe is the oldest city in the United States, there 



Population, 7,000 
Elevation, - 6,968 



being evidence to show that it was inhabited as early as 1325, 
or nearly three hundred years before the Pilgrim Fathers 
landed on Plymouth Rock. The City of Holy Faith is situated 
on both sides of the Santa Fc Creek. The streets are narrow and the buildings 
are almost all constructed of adobe and only one story in height. The city is 
filled with anti(iuities, the most remarkable of which, perhaps, is the church of 
San Miguel, built in 1582, and the Palace, erected in 1581. To get an adequate 
idea of this quaint and interesting country, one should take the Denver & Rio 
Grande R. R. and make the journey to Santa Fe through the ancient pueblos and 
Indian villages which dot the way. 

Hotel— The Palace provides good accommodations for the tourist. 



SCENERY ON THE SILVERTON EXTENSION. 

Phantom Curve— Just before Toltec Tunnel is reached, a sharp curve takes 
the train into a cove among the hills, with monument-shaped rocks on one side 
and fantastic castellated cliffs rising five or six hundred feet on the other. This 
is known as Phantom Curve. It is, indeed, a wild spot, with the valley so deep 
below, the weird, red monumental rocks around and the tall, shelving cliffs above. 
At one place, near the track, there is a small cave, in which is found a beautiful 
light green moss. A mile beyond Phantom Curve the railway crosses the head 
of the ravme on a high bridge of trestle work. From this point the track runs 
directly toward the valley, on a line almost at right angles with it, to where it 
narrows into a mere fissure in the rocks at Toltec Gorge. 



TOLTEC GORGE— CHAMA— INDIAN RESERVATIONS— PAGOSA SPRINGS. 2$ 

TOLTEC GORGE AND TUNNEL. 

An hour's ride from Antonito brings the traveler to the brow of a precipitous 
hill, from whence he looks down into the peaceful and picturesque valley of the 
Los Pinos. As the advance is made around mountain spurs and deep ravines, 
glimpses are caught of profound depths and towering heights, and then the train 
makmg a great detour of four miles around a side canon, plunges into the black- 
ness of Toltec Tunnel. Heights ! Depths ! Mere words these ; but here they 
are stupendous things. Six churches, each with spires as towering as Trinity's, 
placed one above the other, would scarcely bring the topmost steeple on a level 
with the observer's eye. For six hundred feet the tunnel has been blasted through 
solid granite. When the train emerges it is upon the brink of a precipice. -A 
solid bridge of masonry set in the rock, after the manner of a balcony, supports 
the track, and from this coigne of vantage the traveler beholds the grandest and 
most thrilling spectacle. The tremendous gorge, whose sides are splintered rocks 
and monumental crags and whose depths are filled with the snow-white waters of 
a foaming torrent, lies beneath him, the blue sky is above him and all around the 
majesty and mystery of the mountains. 

Garfield Memorial On the twenty-sixth day of September, 1881, the 
American Association of General Passenger Agents, at the time President 
Garfield was being buried in Cleveland, held memorial services at the mouth of 
Toltec Tunnel and since have erected a beautiful monument in memory of the 
martyr President. 

At Cumbres, the summit of the Cumbres range of mountains, one of the 
four points where the Denver & Rio Grande crosses the great continental divide, 
is reached, an elevation of 10,015 feet, and the journey of the descent is a trip 
fraught with great variety of scenery and abounding in interest. Here may be 
seen mountain meadows lush with vegetation, the surrounding hills being heavily 
timbered and abounding in game. 



CHAMA. 



Population, - 325 
Elevation, - 7,863 



Chama is a thriving town of Northern New Mexico on the 
main line of the Silverton extension, noted principally for its 
extensive wool and lumber interests. Situated as it is in the 
heart of a great sheep-growing country and surrounded on all 
sides by magnificent forests of huge pines, its future business interests are 
assured. Roundhouses and repair shops are located here. 

Hotel — The Denver & Rio Grande dining station is here and excellent 
meals are provided. 

INDIAN RESERVATIONS. 

At Amargo, Lumberton and Dulce the Indian reservations are entered, 
and the rude tepees of the Southern Utes and Jicarilla Apaches can be seen 
pitched along the banks of the Juinata, San Juan and Rio de las Florida. Occa- 
sionally a glimpse can be caught of a stolid brave, tricked out in all his savage 
finery, gazing fixedly at the train as it speeds by. Frequently there is quite a 
little group of these aborigines at the station, and they are always ready to 
exchange bows and arrows, baskets and blankets, trophies of the chase, or other 
specimens of their rude handiwork in return for very hard cash. 



PAGOSA SPRINGS. 

Health Resort. 
Pagosa Springs, the far-famed "big medicine" of the 
Utes, the greatest thermal fountains on the continent, are 
situated in Conejos County, thirty-one miles north of Pagosa 
Junction, on the Silverton extension of the Denver & Rio 
Grande R. R., the junction point with the Rio Grande, Pagosa & Northern R. R., 
which has recently been completed, and operating in connection with the mam 



Population, - 600 
Elevation, - 7,108 



26 DURANGO— TRIMBLE HOT SPRINGS— ANIMAS CA^fON. 

system, bringing these famous springs within easy rail communication of the 
outside world. These springs lie upon the northern bank of the San Juan 
River, at an altitude of 7,000 feet, and in a situation combining numerous 
advantages and attractions. To the north are the peaks of the San Juan Range, 
east and west are the grassy plains dotted with immense pines and far to the 
south the undulating prairie stretches into New Mexico. With such an environ- 
ment the Pagosa Springs must ere long gain the celebrity to which their 
medicinal qualities undoubtedly entitle them. The Indians have long been 
aware of the healing powers of these "great medicine waters," and have, until 
recently, jealously guarded their possession. It is not surprising that these 
children of the wilderness, who find relief from distress mainly in the medications 
of Nature, should deplore the loss of these powerful thermal waters. Within a 
basin seventy feet long and fifty wide, formed from its own alkaline deposits, 
which are twenty or thirty feet thick, the water bubbles up at a temperature of 
153" Fahrenheit. There are four other springs in the immediate locality, their 
similarity to the main source as shown by analysis, suggesting a common origin. 
Upon a cold morning the steam which rises from these different springs can be 
seen at a distance of several miles. These purgative, alkaline waters, with the 
large excess of sulphate of soda, so much increased in medicinal virtue by the 
degree of temperature, would seem to designate Pagosa as the Bethesda for 
sufferers from calculous disorders, gravel with uric acid diathesis, rheumatism 
and skin diseases, when alterative and depicting treatment is indicated. 

Hotels— Good hotel accommodation can be found here, supplemented with 
well furnished and well conducted bath houses. 



DURANGO. 

Comtnercial Town. 



Population, 4,000 
Elevation, - 6,620 



DuRANGO is the county seat of La Plata County and is a 
prosperous and growing town. It is situated on the Rio Las 
Animas, on the Silverton jjraiich of the Denver <i Rio Grande 
R. R. and the main line Rio Grande Southern R, R. It is 
surrounded by some of the richest gold and silver mines in Colorado, including 
the recently discovered gold fields of the La Plata. It is the great smelting center 
of Southwestern Colorado, in the center of immense coal fields, and the great 
distributing jwint for the famous Montezuma Valley and the Ute Indian reserva- 
tion, which was thrown open for settlement in the summer of 1898, one of the 
most fertile agricultural districts of the West. 

Hotels — -The Strater House is a large and elegant brick hotel. The Grand 
Central caters to a good class of patronage. There are smaller hotels, boarding 
houses and restaurants in abundance. 



TRIMBLE HOT SPRINGS. 

Health and Pleasure Resort. 



Population, - 25 
Elevation, - 6,676 



The famous Trimble Hot Springs are situated nine miles 
north of Durango, on the Silverton extension of the Denver & 
Rio Grande R. R. The scenery surrounding these springs is 
of wonderful beauty. They are situated not five minutes' 
walk from the railway depot and have been extensively improved by the hand 
of man. The pine-clad mountains tower to a great height in the rear, and 
wherever vistas in the verdure afford a view of the rocks they blaze with the most 
startling hues of orange and vermilion. 



ANIMAS CANON. 

For a dozen miles north of Durango the railroad traverses the beautiful valley 
of the Animas, with its fields of waving grain, its well-kept gardens and its thrifty 
homes. Anon the valley becomes more broken and contracted, the a])proaching 
walls grow more jirecipitous and the smooth meadows give place to stately pines 
and sighing sycamores. The silver Animas frets in its narrowing bed and breaks into 
foam against the opposing boulders. The road climbs and clings to the rising cliffs, 



SILVERTON. 



27 



'^1 




' vlAC CaNCN 



and present- 
ly the earth 
and stately 
pines have 
receded and 
the train rolls 
along a mere 
granite shelf 
in mid-air. 
Above, the 
vertical wall 
rises a thou- 
sand feet; 
below, hun- 
dreds of feet 
of perpendic- 
ular depth 
and a fath- 
omless river. 
The canon is 
a mere rent 
in the moun- 
tain, so nar- 
row one may 

toss a pebble across, and the cramped stream has assumed the deep emerald hue 
of Niagara. In the loftier heights the verdure-clad mountains are discerned, 
rising into shapely cones and coquetting with the fleecy clouds. In the shadow of 
the rock all is solitary and weird and awful. The startled traveler quickly loses 
all apprehension in the wondrous beauty and grandeur of the scene, and, as 
successive curves repeat and enhance the enchantment, Nature asserts herself in 
ecstacy. Emerging from this marvelous gorge, the bed of the canon rapidly 
rises until the roadway is but a few feet above the stream. Dark walls of rock are 
replaced with clustering mountains of supreme height, whose abruptness defies 
the foot of man. The Needles, the most peculiar and striking of the Rockies, 
thrust their splintered pinnacles into the regions of perpetual snow. The river, 
with its borders of flowers, and swaying vines, and stately trees, loses none of its . 
picturesqueness. 

Elk Park is a beautiful little valley in the midst of the range, with sunlit 
meadows and groups of giant pines, a spot which is rich in material for the artist 
who is in search of new impressions. 

Garfield Peak, lifting its symmetrical summit a mile above the track, 
stands at the end of Elk Park and is a peerless landmark among its fellows. 
Onward the everlasting hills are marshaled and among them for miles the canon 
of the Animas maintains its grandeur. Frequent cascades, glistening like bur- 
nished silver in the sunlight, leap from crag to crag for a thousand feet down the 
mountain sides to lose themselves in the Animas. Thus grandly ends this glorious 
ride as the train sweeps 6ut into the greenery of Baker's Park and arrives at 
Silverton, in the heart of the San Juan. 



Population, 2,000 
Elevation, - 9,224 



SILVERTON. 

Mining Town. 

Silverton is the terminus of the Silverton extension of the 
Denver & Rio Grande R. R. It is the judicial seat of San 
Juan County and is in the heart of the rich mining region of 
San Juan. It is surrounded by scenery rivaling the grandest 
views in Switzerland and the tourist will never regret a visit to behold its beauties. 
The Silverton R. R., the Silverton & Northern, and the Silverton, Gladstone & 
Northerly railways have their terminus at Silverton, and penetrate the canons and 
gorges reaching out of Baker's Park to the rich mines, bringing their ores for 
transmission to the smelters. The Silverton R. R. forms an important link in the 
wonderful journey "Around the Circle." 

Hotels — Silverton is well supplied with hotels. Among these may be men- 
tioned the Grand Central and the Walker House. 



THE RIO GRANDE SOUTHERN R. R.— RICO. 



29 



THE RIO GRANDE SOUTHERN R. R. 



Leaving the line of the Denver & Rio Grande at Durango, crossing the 
Rio de las Animas and continuincj up Lightner Creek past old Fort Lewis and on 
to Ridgway, 163 miles 
away, where it again f- 
connects with the 
Denver & Rio Grande, 
runs the Rio Grande 
Southern R. R. This 
line forms a portion of, 
and adds a great many 
points of scenic 
interest to, the famous 
"Around the Circle" 
tour. 

The road passes 
through the valleys of 
the Mancos and 
Dolores rivers, with 
their fine farms and 
ranches, surrounded 
on all sides by snow- 
capped peaks, the 

melting snows from " ~- 

which make numerous streams of pure, cold water which always assures the 
farmer of a crop, for here it never rains and irrigation is resorted to in all 
agricultural pursuits. 

Cliff Dwellings — From Mancos station the famous ruins of the homes of 
the Cliff Dwellers are accessible. These ruins are to be found in the Mancos 
Canon, Cliff Canon, Navajo Canon, Mocasin Canon and in fact all the canons 
intersecting the Mesa Verde, which comprises an area of nearly 25,000 square 
miles. The easiest and best method of reaching these interesting ruins is by 
saddle horses over good trails from Mancos. Guides and all necessary equip- 
ment for this delightful trip can be secured by application to the station agent, at 
reasonable rates. 

Leaving Mancos the line continues northward through the Lost Canon and 
on to the Dolores Canon, not so grand or imposing as some others we have men- 
tioned in this book, but none the less interesting. 

The country opened up by this line is entirely a new one and game is plenti- 
ful; occasionally from the car window may be seen a herd of deer scurrying along 
as fast as their fleet limbs will carry them in their frantic haste to get away from 
that awful monster, puffing and blowing, belching forth steam and smoke as it 
hurries along on the glistening rails. 




STARTING FOR THE CLIFF RUINS. 



RICO. 



Population, 
Elevation, - 



- 900 
8,737 



Rico is one of the most important mining towns of the 
State, whose mines dot the mountain sides and whose product 
is packed to the cars on the backs of the ever-patient and 
faithful burro, without which no mining camp can be complete. 
The town is located in what was at one time the crater of a large volcano. Pre- 
cipitous mountains with poetic names arise upon all sides of it, gradually widening 
until by describing a circle of their summits they appear as the top of a huge 
funnel. Among them is the famous Telescope Mountain, a freak of nature only 
to be seen to form a proper realization of the aptness of its name. The place has 
much of historic interest, as evidences of early Spanish discoveries are found on 
many sides. 

Hotels — There are several good hotels and ample accommodation for all 
comers. 



30 



Pupiilation, 
Elevation. 



8.000 
8.766 



The 



TELLURinr.— AROUND THE CIRCLE. 

TELLURIDE. 

Among all the great mining towns of Colorado Telluride 

ranks among the foremost. The mines of this vicinity are 

])articiilarly rich, and a number of Colorado's millionaires owe 

their wealth to the jiroduct of this truly wonderful region. 

town it'^elf is well constructed, with water system, electric lights and other 

modern improvements worthy of larger 
cities. Located here is one of the largest 
electric power plants in the world, its 
wires reaching to a number of mines 
'where the electricity is used to operate 
hoists, etc. The power to create this 
wonderful electrical energy is from a 
natural waterfall of great height. 

Hotels — As usual in a town of this 
character there are ample hotel accom- 
modations of the first class. 

The Lizard Head Pass, Ophir Loop 
and the Dallas Divide rival anyengineer- 
ing achievement which exists on these 
mountain roads, and their tortuous wind- 
ing up the mountain sides, through deep, 
rocky cuts, over high bridges, dodging 
into a snow shed dark as night, then 
rushing out into the bright sunshine, 
gives the tourist a taste of mountain 
climbing second to none in the world. 

Coming down the eastern slope of the 

Dallas IJivide into Ridgway, away off to 

the right is the Uncompaghre Range with its 

oPHiR everlasting snow-capped peaks, its dark and 

LOOP, gloomy canons, whose darkness is emphasized 

by the glare of a Colorado sUn on the projecting rocks 

near by, its lower portions densely wooded with jiine and fir 

trees whose dark foliage gives a soft and gentle tone to these parts of the range 

and forms a striking contrast with the bold, rocky faceruf the mountain above. 




■^ 



"^" 



-•>> 



AROUND THE CIRCLE. 

* The journey "Around the Circle," on the Denver & Rio Grande R. R., from 
Denver to Silverton, Silverton to Ouray and return to Denver, or via the Denver 
& Rio Grande R. R. to Durango, thence over the Rio Grande Southern to Ridgway 
and return to Denver, comprises more noted and magnificent scenery than any 
other trip of similar length in the known world. Piercing the heart of the Rocky 
Mountains, crossing and recrossing the "Great Divide," between the Atlantic and 
Pacific slopes; penetrating four canons, each of which is a world's wonder, and 
no two having the same characteristics; climbing three mountain passes by rail 
and one by stage; achieving grades of 2ii feet to the mile; reaching heights ii.ooo 
feet above the sea; penetrating gorges whose walls soar a half a mile in perpen- 
dicular cliffs above the track; traversing fertile and picturesque valleys, watered 
by historic rivers; passing through Indian reservations and in sight of frontier 
cantonments of national troops; pausing in the midst of mining camps, where 
gold and silver and coal and copper are being taken from subterranean recesses; 
in a word, making the traveler familiar with peaks and plains, lakes and rivers, 
canons and passes, mountains and mesas; with strange scenes in nature, aboriginal 
types of men, wonders of science and novel forms of art; surely no other journey 
of a thousand miles can so instruct, entertain, entrance and thrill the traveler 
as this trip "Around the Circle." 

The special points of interest on the trip "Around the Circle" are described 
in the pages of this book, buf for more detail and explicit directions in regard to 
this famous tour the reader is referred to a pamphlet issued by the Denver & Rio 
Grande R. R.. entitled "Around the Circle," which will be sent free on application, 
to any representative of the company. 



THE RAINBOW ROUTE— THE OURAY TOLL ROAD. 



31 



THE RAINBOW ROUTE. 

From Silverton the journey "Around the Circle" is continued by taking the 
Silverton railway, a road constructed up the difficult grades of Red Mountain, 
and doing an immense business in the handling of ores which are taken from 
these rich deposits; also employed in the transportation of passengers. This 
wonderful road owes its construction to the genius, daring and wealth of one man, 
Mr. Otto Mears, who has for years been the "pathfinder" of the San Juan region, 
building toll roads and opening the gates of prosperity to the many mining towns 
of this mountainous country. He is the sole owner of the road, and has con- 
quered engineering diiflculties of the most astounding character. The line does 
not as yet bridge the gap between Silverton and Ouray, and from Red Mountain 
Town, its terminus, stages carry tourists over the mountains to the latter point, 
where the trip is resumed by the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. 



THE OURAY TOLL ROAD. 

The stage ride forms one of the most attractive features of this most attractive 
journey. Lasting only two hours, passing over the summits of ranges and through 
the depths of canons, the tourist will find this a welcome variation to his method 
of travel and a great relief and recreation. The old-fashioned stage, with all its 
romantic associations, is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. A year or two 
more and it will have disappeared entirely from Colorado. Here, in the midst of 
some of the grandest scenery on the continent, the blue sky above, and the fresh, 



1 




■1 ^ ■ ^^ 


1 


'j 


^H 




^l^^^E 


Kr 

't 


ej^ ^ 


^^n|^| 




w^fsm^^StK^K^K^KKK^^- 


^^ 


^^^^/. 






H-'f^wiS'' '•■ '"'" ""^ 






p; 's 


r .f. 









OURAY TOLL ROAD. 



pure, exhilarating mountain air sending the blood bounding through one's veins, to 
clamber into a Concord coach and be whirled along a splendidly constructed road, 
drawn by four or six fiery horses, guided and controlled by a typical Western 
stage driver, is surely a novel and delightful experience. The scenery on this 
ride between Red Mountain and Ouray is one of the greatest magnificence. 
The Ouray toll-road has long been noted for its attractions in the way of 
scenery, the triangular mass of Mount Abrams towers to the left, while the road 
winds around the curves of the hills with the sinuosity of a mountain brook. 
The scene from the bridge over Bear Creek is one which once beheld can never 
be forgotten. Directly under the bridge plunges a cataract to a depth of 253 feet, 
forming a most noteworthy and impressive scene. The toll road passes through 
one of the most famous mining regions in the world, and the fame of Red 
Mountain is well deserved both from the number and richness of its mines. 
Before Ouray is reached the road passes through Uncompahgre Canon. Here 
the roadbed has been blasted from the solid rock wall of the gorge, and a scene 
similar in nature and rivaling in grandeur that of Animas Canon is beheld. 



Fupiilaiion. 4,000 
Elevation, - 7,721 



32 OURAY— OURAY TO MONTROSE. 

OURAY. 

Mining Center. County Seat of Ouray County. 

Ol'ray is situated in a grand amphitheatre of mountains 
and can be reached by the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. from 
Montrose, and by rail and stage from Silverton. The summits 
of the surrounding peaks are from three to four thousand feet 
higher than the town and from ten to fourteen thousand feet above tide-water. 
In the southwest portion of the basin, in which stands the town, and where the 
waters of Canon Creek flow into those of the Uncompahgre, there are some lovely 
canons and picturesque gorges; and here, in places, where the hot springs flow 
down over the banks into the main stream, the rocks are covered with a perfect 
mat of "maiden hair" and other ferns. Some of these springs contain iron and 
sulphur in large quantities. A short distance from here, up Canon Creek, is a 
large cave. There are large chambers in it, and the roof and floor are covered 
with stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is entered from the edge of Cafion 
Creek and it is impossible to get into some of the chambers without ladders. The 
hot springs above spoken of, all of which flow into the Uncompahgre, serve to 
keep that river without a film of ice in the severest weather, both in town and for 
some distance below it; indeed, on a very cold morning in winter, a little white 
cloud of steam hangs over the river for more than a mile below town. On the 
east side of Ouray, Portland Creek flows in, and from a cleft high up in the 
gigantic buttress of red sandstone, which flanks the northeastern portion, Cascade 
Creek rushes down and shoots far out into the air, ending in a lovely veil of spray. 
In the northern part of the town there are more hot springs, and where they flow 
into the river are large beds of delicious watercress, which, owing to the warmth 
of the water and protection from frost by steam, remain green all through the 
severest winter, a luxury not to be despised at that season when "green stuff" for 
food is so scarce and so desirable. The Uncompahgre and its tributaries abound 
with speckled trout. 

Hotels — The tourist will find accommodations at the Beaumont Hotel equal 
to those of a metropolitan city. The service is first class in every respect. The 
Dixon Hotel is also popular and furnishes good accommodations at reasonable rates. 

Hot Springs — The hot springs here are provided with bath rooms as well 
as a large plunge bath. The waters are a specific for rheumatism. 

Hunting and Fishing— Plenty of sport can be had about Ouray. The 
mountain sheep and wapiti have not yet been killed off; deer and trout are 
abundant. The rides up the roads and trails to neighboring mines and mining 
camps, through valley and canon and over mountain and mesa, are not soon 
exhausted, and the lover of botany or geology, or the student of mineralogy 
and mining, could scarcely find a finer field anywhere than in the neighborhood 
of Ouray. 

OURAY TO MONTROSE. 

Leaving Ouray, a ride of thirty-five miles, via the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. 
brings the traveler to Montrose, on the mam narrow-gauge line of the Denver & 
Rio Grande R. R., between Denver and Salt Lake. Two miles from Ouray the 
country begins to become open and soon one is passing through farms and 
an excellent agricultural valley. En route one passes the confluence of the 
Uncompahgre and Dallas at Ridgway, where the Rio Grande Southern branches to 
the gold fields of San Miguel, and the mesas and terraces on either side abound 
with almost every species of game— deer, elk, mountain sheep, bear and smaller 
animals. Further on, twenty-two miles from Ouray, you come to the old Los Pinos 
Indian agency, where Chiefs Douglas, Jack, Colorow, Piah and other Indians, 
who participated in the massacre of Thornburg and the Meekers, tested the 
nerve of Gen. Hatch and his associates in 187Q. The storehouse, council 
chamber, etc., are still standing. Old Fort Crawford, the now abandoned military 
post, is passed twenty-six miles from Ouray, and five miles further on one reaches 
the residence of Chipeta, the widow of Ouray, the dead Ute chief, who, during 
his reign, held the Utes in check and was always the friend of the white man. 
At Montrose the tourist can take the main line of the Denver &. Rio Grande R. R. 
for the cast or west. 



FLORENCE — CRIPPLE CREEK GOLD DISTRICT— CANON CITY. 33 

FLORENCE. 

Commercial Town. 

Florence is a thriving commercial town, 153 miles from 



Population, 4,000 Denver and 33 miles west of Pueblo, on the main line of the 

Elevation, - 6,199 Denver & Rio Grande; the center of the great oil fields and 

the connecting point with the Florence & Cripple Creek R. R. 

Here are also located oil refineries and the several great reduction works for the 

treating of the vast quantities of gold ores frorp the Cripple Creek mines. 

Florence & Cripple Creek R. R. — Extending northwardly from the line 
of the Denver & Rio Grande runs the Florence & Cripple Creek R. R. to the 
wonderful mining district of Cripple Creek. Its connection with the Denver & 
Rio Grande is made at both Florence and Cafion City, the two stems converging 
a short distance north of the two towns and from thence to its northern terminus 
at Victor and Cripple Creek. This marvelous railroad penetrates beautiful and 
wonderful cafions, rivaling in beauty some of greater renown. Skillful engineer- 
ing work is frequently visible in the great loops and curves necessary to attain 
the elevations, and from these high points long and artistic vistas of snow-covered 
serrated ranges are beheld. 

Aside from its magnificent scenic attractions the Florence & Cripple Creek 
R. R. is greatly interesting as the main artery for the rich ores of the Cripple 
Creek District en route to the reduction plants at Florence, Cafion City, Pueblo 
and Denver. 

CRIPPLE CREEK GOLD DISTRICT. 



Cripple Creek: 
Population, 11,000 
Elevation, - 9,396 



VICTOR: 




Population, 


5,000 


Elevation, - 


9.728 



The towns of Cripple Creek and Victor have advanced 
with the prosperity of the mining district of which they are the 
center. From camps of a few wooden shanties and tents, a 
few years ago, they have risen to well-built, well-defined mining 
towns. Brick buildings are being erected in the business 
centers and dwellings of a permanent character are dotting 
the slopes around the towns. There is a stability about them 
which is most encouraging. The hotel accommodations are 
first class. There is an excellent water service, the supply 
being piped from the mountains above, and the towns are peaceably and well 
governed. The advent of the railroads, the great attention being paid to gold 
mining and the immense quantities of ore that are being uncovered in the mining 
district, all go to show that the Cripple Creek District is but entering upon an 
era of great prosperity. The Florence & Cripple Creek R. R., from its connec- 
tion with the Denver & Rio Grande R. R., at Florence and Caiion City, and the 
Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Ry., connecting at Colorado Springs, 
provide direct all-rail connections from Denver and Pueblo. 



CANON CITY. 

Pleasure and all-the-year Health Resort. 

. Canon City, on the main line of the Denver & Rio Grande 

Population, 6,500 R. R., is a handsome residence and business town, supplied 
Elevation, - 5,343 with electric light, telephone, waterworks and sewerage system. 

Is the county seat of Fremont County; the State Penitentiary 

is located here and there are mineral springs of great value. The town is sub- 
stantially built and is noted for its fine residences and the handsome grounds which 
surround them. It has a warm, well-sheltered location and equable climate, 
making it a favorite resort for tourists and invalids. Recent reports for the 
United States Signal Service has proved it to possess the mildest winterclimate 
in the State, having a larger proportion of dryness and sunshine than is to be 
found elsewhere in this the sunniest of all climes. Snow falls but seldom and 
quickly disappears. Fair weather here is the rule and stormy weather the excep- 
tion. Its sheltered position gives it mimunity from high winds, while the rich soil 
supports the finest vineyards, orchards and meadows in Colorado, all fruits and 
other products coming to maturity at the same time as in the Middle States. 

First among its attractions are the Royal Gorge Hot Springs, at the mouth 
of the Grand Canon of the Arkansas, the virtues of which were first generally 



THE ROYAL GORGE— GRAND CANON OF THE ARKANSAS. 35 

made known through an analysis by Prof. Leow, chemist of the Wheeler Govern- 
ment Exploring Expedition, who said in his official report: "Of all the mineral 
waters of the West which I have analyzed, I find those of Canon City the best," 

A cozy hotel has been erected here which furnishes, in connection with 
the hotels of the city, ample and elegant accommodations for pleasure and 
health seekers in this justly famous all-the-year resort. . The drive to the top of 
the Royal Gorge is through wonderful scenery, passing the State Penitentiary, 
where four hundred convicts are confined, then the Cold Soda Springs, the Vichy 
water of Colorado, then following up a little red land valley along the base of the 
Hogback, past the immense greenish marl protuberances known as Beecher and 
his pulpit; then, at Three-Mile Spring, after drinking the waters, you bear toward 
and pass the mineral paint and cement deposits and cross great conglomerate 
beds, the reddish glow of chaotic times still clingmg to the fused mass, which 
readily suggests the appropriateness of the name Devil's Gate. On the right are 
Twin Mountains, the sides of which are plated with coarse marble. A little further 
the pent-up world opens suddenly into one of Colorado's grandest views, the 
snow-clad peaks of the Continental Divide, at the head of the South Arkansas, 
nearly a hundred miles away, and the beautiful peaks of the Sangre de Cristo 
Range to southward ; as you pass on to the right is Eight-Mile Park, with its 
evergreen-clad mounds. The soul expands and you wish to hurry on, feeling 
ready now for the awe-inspiring view that awaits you at the top of the only Royal 
Gorge. Not to have seen it from the top is not to have imbibed the grandeur of 
Nature's most stupendous work ; is not to have done Rocky Mountain scenery. 

The Saurean Bonefields, Marble Caves, the Bottle Rocks, the Bottomless Pit 
and Grape Creek Canon are all well worthy of a visit. The magnificent orchards 
of fruit, the oil fields and famous coal fields, the extensive stone quarries and the 
health-giving springs are all tributary to the prosperity of this ideal residence 
city. With these and many other attractions every person born and living near 
the sea-level can but be benefited by a sojourn on this altitude, a location where 
are combined pleasure and profit, in the midst of a panorama of the picturesque 
and grand in Nature. 

The Florence & Cripple Creek R. R. has but recently completed a branch 
line to connect Canon City with the main line, and through travel to the Cripple 
Creek district will pass through Caiion City instead of Florence as formerly. 

Hotels — The McClure, Strathmore and St. Cloud hotels furnish first-class 
accommodations. The Royal Gorge Hotel, situated at the hot springs near the 
city, is especially adapted for tourists and invalids. There are a number of 
smaller houses and restaurants. 

THE ROYAL GORGE. 
GRAND CANON OF THE ARKANSAS. 

One of the World's Wonders. 
Just beyond Canon City the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. enters the Grand 
Canon of the Arkansas, the narrowest portion of which is known as the Royal 
Gorge. When first examined it seemed impossible that a railway could ever be 
constructed through this stupendous caiion. There was scarcely room for the 
river alone and granite ledges blocked the path with their mighty bulk. In time, 
however, these obstructions were blasted away, a roadbed, closely following the 
contour of the cliffs, was made, and to-day the canon is a well-used thoroughfare. 
But its grandeur still remains. After the entrance to the canon has been made, 
surprise and almost terror comes. The train rolls round a long curve close-under 
a wall of black and banded granite, beside which the ponderous locomotive shrinks 
to a mere dot, as if swinging on some pivot in the heart of the mountain, or 
captured by a centripetal force that would never resign its grasp. Almost a 
whole circle is accomplished, and the grand amphitheatrical sweep of the wall 
shows no break in its zenith-cutting facade. Will the journey end here? Is it 
a mistake that this crevice goes through the range ? Does not all this mad water 
gush from some powerful spring or boil out of a subterranean channel impene- 
trable to us ? No, it opens. Resisting centripetal, centrifugal force claims the 
train, and it breaks away at a tangent past the edge or around the corner of the 
great black wall which compelled its detour and that of the river before it. Now 
what glories of rock piling confront the wide-distended eye ! How those sharp- 
edged cliffs, standing with upright heads that play at handball- with the clouds. 



36 SILVER CLIFF— WEST CLIFF BKANCH— SALIDA. 

alternate with one another, so that first the right, then tlic left, then the right one 
beyond strike our view, each one half obscured by its fellow in front, each showing 
itself level browed with its comrades as we come even with it, each a score of 
hundreds of dizzy feet in height, rising perpendicularly from the water and the 
track, splintered atop into airy pinnacles, braced behind against the almost con- 
tinental mass through w.hich the chasm has been cleft. This is the Royal Gorge. 
Escaping from the Gorge, the narrow valley of the Upper Arkansas is traversed, 
with the striking serrated peaks of the Sangre de Cristo close at hand on the west, 
until Salida is reached. Here the main line of the railroad bears northward to 
LeadviUe, Teimessee Pass, Mount of the Holy Cross, Glenwood Springs, Grand 
junction. Salt Lake City, Ogden and the Pacific Coast; while the narrow-gauge 
line crosses the Arkansas, leaving Poncha Springs on the left, climbs into a 
narrowing but verdant valley running down between low-browed hills, and begins 
to scale the heights of Marshall Pass, crossing which the road continues on to 
Grand Junction, where it once more connects with the standard-gauge main line 
for the West. 

SILVER CLIFF. 

Mining and Commercial Town. 

Silver Cliff is situated in the Wet Mountain Valley and 



Population. - 800 is noted as the center of a large and remarkable mining district. 
Elevation. - 7,816 Here was discovered the Racine Boy Mine, which caused a 
tremendous rush to that section, resulting in other great dis- 
coveries. The town is surrounded by a fertile valley, which produces large 
quantities of grain and hay. 

WEST CLIFF BRANCH. 

Realizing the vast importance of the Wet Mountain Valley as a mining and 
agricultural region, the Denver & Rio Grande has commenced the construction 
of a branch line extending from Texas Creek station to West Cliff and Silver 
Cliff, heretofore reached by stage lines. This branch will be completed and in 
operation early in iqoi and will be but another addition to the already large num- 
ber of paying and interesting branches. The scenery on the new line is equal to 
that on the main line, with gorges and passes, mountains and valleys, difficult 
feats of engineering, and altogether well worthy a side trip from the main line. 



Population, 4,000 
Elevation, - 7,060 



SALIDA. 

Picturesque Mountain Town. 

Salida is a prosperous town on the Arkansas River, at the 
junction of the standard-gauge main line leading via Lead- 
viUe, Tennessee Pass and Glenwood Springs to Grand Juncton, 
and the narrow-gauge line via Marshall Pass to another con- 
nection with the main line at Grand Junction. Here also is the northern termi- 
nus of the branch lines to Durango, viilverton, Alamosa, Wagon Wheel Gap, 
Creede, Santa Fe and all jtoints in the San Luis \'alley and southwestern Colorado. 

Repair shops of the Denver & Rio Grande R.R. arc located here, and this point 
being the terminus of four divisions of the railroad makes Salida one of the most 
important stations on the entire system. The situation of Salida is beautiful and 
the tourist will find much to interest him in its vicinity. The river affords great 
attractions to the fisherman and the walks and rides are particularly charming. 

Hotels — The Monte Cristo Hotel is the best in the city, being also the 
eating station of the Denver & Rio Grande R.R. A word may be added here 
concerning the excellent character of the eating houses on the transcontinental 
line of this road. The greatest care is taken to give the best satisfaction and to 
furnish accommodations of first-class quality. 

Mineral Springs— Poncha Hot Springs are five miles from Salida, a full 
description of which will be found on another page. Wellsville Hot Springs are 
six miles distant down the Arkansas River. Here there is a natural warm 
plunge bath, the waters of which are strongly impregnated with medicinal quali- 
ties. The Wellsville Springs are a favorite resort and are made the objective 
point for many very pleasant excursion parties. 



BUENA VISTA-COTTONWOOD HOT SPRINGS-COTTONWOOD LAKE-TWIN LAKES. 2,7 

BUENA VISTA. 

Picturesque Mountain Town. 



Population, 1,100 
Elevation, - 7,967 



BuENA V^iSTA is situated in a broad expanse of level country 

completely surrounded by high snow-capped mountains, the 

Arkansas River flowing through the center of the plain. It is 

a thriving town with good business prospects of mineral and 

agricultural character. The State Reformatory is located here and may be seen 

to the east of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. tracks, south of the town. 

Hotels — There are ample hotel accommodations of the first class. 



Population, - 700 
Elevation, - 7,950 



COTTONWOOD HOT SPRINGS. 

Hunting, Fishing and Health Resort. 

The Cottonwood Hot Springs have long been famous 
in Colorado for their curative properties. They were the resort 
of the Indians before the whites took possession of the country 
and have since been greatly improved and made accessible to 
invalids and tourists. The springs are situated six miles from Buena Vista, whence 
a stage line conveys passengers arriving on the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. to 
the springs. For cases of inflammatory rheumatism, lead poisoning and diseases 
of the blood these waters possess remarkable curative properties. The scenery 
of the valley in which the springs are situated is of great loveliness, the Colle- 
giate Range of mountains forming an imposing background. Fine trout fishing 
can be found in ten minutes' walk up and down Cottonwood Creek, and the 
neighboring hills abound in game. 

Hotels — The Cottonwood Hot Springs Hotel furnishes first-class accom- 
modations. . 

COTTONWOOD LAKE. 

Fishing Resort. 

South Cottonwood Creek forms this pretty sheet of water, 
which lies twelve miles southwest of Buena Vista. Its waters 
swarm with trout and the hillsides around are covered with 
wild raspberries, currants and strawberries. The lake is out 
of the way of the general course of fishermen, and consequently has not been 
fished out. The stage will carry passengers from Buena Vista to the lake at 
reasonable rates. 

Accommodations — There is no regular hotel, but a resident miner and 
fisherman has a number of comfortable cabins in which guests can find lodging, 
and he will guide his patrons to the best fishing places. This is an excellent 
place for a party of gentlemen to spend a few days or weeks in recreation and in 
the pursuits of the sportsman. 

TWIN LAKES. 

Pleasure Resort. 

A two hours' drive from Granite Station, on the main line 



Population, - 25 
Elevation, 10,700 



Population, - 200 of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R., brings the traveler to the 
Elevation, - 9,357 lakes. Of all the health and pleasure resorts of the Upper 

Arkansas Valley, the Twin Lakes is perhaps the most noted. 

They are fourteen miles south of Leadville. The larger of the two lakes is two 
and one-half miles in length by one and one-half in width, and the other about 
half that size. The greatest depth is seventy-five feet. These lakes possess 
peculiar merits as a place of resort, lying at an altitude of 9,357 feet— over one and 
three-fourths miles— at the mouth of a caiion, in a little nook surrounded by 
lofty mountains. On the lakes are numerous boats, and fishing tackle can always 
be obtained. Both lakes are well stocked with fish and the neighboring streams 
also abound in mountain trout. Surrounding the lakes are large forests of pine, 
which add their characteristic odor to the air. The nearest mountains, whose 
forms are reflected in the placid waters, are Mount Elbert, La Plata (each higher 



38 LEADVILLE. 

than Pike's Peak), Lake Mountain ami the Twin Peaks. Twin Lakes is one of 
the highest of the popular Rocky Mountain resorts, and furnishes an unfailing 
antidote for hot weather. Even in midsummer ilannels are necessary articles of. 
apparel and thick woolen blankets are indispensable at night. The latter part of 
July and part of August constitute the rainy season, when there is usually a shower 
everyday, preceded and succeeded immediately by a clear sky and bright sunshine. 

A nunil)cr of private cottages or lodges have been erected here by Leadville 
citizens, who make this their summer home. 

Hotel— The Interlaken Hotel furnishes excellent accommodations for 
visitors, and is supplemented with boarding houses and private establishments. 



LEADVILLE. 

The Great Carbonate Camp. 

I Leadville first became known to fame in 185Q as California 

Population, 75,000 Gulch, one ot the richest placer camps in Colorado. F"rom 
Eieuation, 10.200 185c) to 1864 $5,000,000 in gold dust were washed from the 
ground of this gulch. The camp was afterwards nearly aban- 
doned, and it was not until 1878 that the carbonate beds of silver were discovered. 
Immediately after this discovery a great rush ensued to the carbonate camp, 
which was named Leadville, and the population rose from a nominal number to 
30,000. Leadville is the county seat of Lake County, and is situated on the 
main line of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. It is the fourth city in size in 
Colorado, and the greatest and most unique carbonate mining camp in the world. 
The visitor to Leadville is irresistibly reminded of the words of Joaquin Miller: 
"Colorado, rare Colorado! Yonder she rests, her head of gold pillowed on the 
Rocky Mountains; her feet in the brown grass; the boundless plains for a play- 
ground; she is set on a hill before the world, and the air is very clear so that all 
may see her well." The city is lighted by gas and electricity; has telephonic 
communication with surrounding points; has the usual conveniences and luxuries 
of cities of corresponding size, and in ail respects ranks as one of the greatest 
cities of this great State. Leadville is one of the most interesting cities in the 
world to the tourist. It abounds in scenes of a novel and characteristic nature and 
presents views of life entirely foreign to the conventional. Mining methods are 
here fully illustrated in every form, from lode mining to hydraulic and sluicing 
work. Leadville has a handsome theatre, the Tabor Opera House, having a 
seating capacity of 1,000. The scenery around Leadville is magnificent. It is 
walled in on all sides by towering mountains whose .summits are crowned with 
eternal snow. Occupying so high an altitude, the effect is remarkable, and tourists 
can find no more striking or interesting scenes than those presented by Leadville 
and its weird and wonderful surroundings. 

Hotels — Leadville is well supplied with good hotels, the principal one being 
the Vendome. Livery accommodations are first class and the boulevard affords 
one of the finest drives in the State. 

Soda Springs — Situated on the front of Mount Massive, at the mouth of 
Colorado Gulch, and distant five miles from Leadville, are the popular Soda 
Springs. The Boulevard, a carefully constructed drive, 100 feet in width and as 
smooth as a race track, gives access to the springs, a stage connecting w-ith 
Leadville twice a day. The springs are strongly impregnated with soda and are 
of a highly medicinal character. There is excellent trout fishing within a few 
minutes' walk of the springs, pleasant drives and rides are numerous and placer 
as well as lode mining are in progress in near proximity, easily accessible to the 
inspection of the tourist. 

Hotel — The Mount Massive Hotel affords first-class accommodations, setting 
an especially fine table. It is provided with good bath houses, supplied with iron 
and soda water from adjoining springs. 

Chrysolite Extension — In order to reach the very rich mines on the hills 
surrounding Leadville, the Denver & Rio Grande R. R., in 1898, constructed this 
branch through Big Evans Gulch to the Ibex (Little Johnny) and Resurrection 
mines. Passengers are not carried over the line, but it is worthy of mention, 
inasmuch as at its terminus at the Ibex mine it reaches the marvelous elevation of 
11,522 feet above sea level, the highest traction railway point in the world. 



Population, - 26 
Elevation, 10,500 



EVERGREEN LAKES — FREMONT PASS — TENNESSEE PASS. 39 

EVERGREEN LAKES. 

Health and Fishing Resort. 

On the eastern slope of Mount Massive, six miles southwest 
of Leadville, is situated one of the most pleasant summer 
resorts, known far and near as the Evergreen Lakes. To the 
people of Leadville, and to the tourists visiting the Carbonate 
Camp, these lakes afford an easily accessible and very charming place for a day's 
outing, or, if time permits, for a prolonged sojourn. The lakes are natural bodies 
of water improved by the hand of man. Upon their surface float handsome sail 
and rowboats, and in their depths sport myriads of mountain trout. 

Hotel — The Evergreen Lakes Hotel is a large and comfortable building, 
with elegant accommodations for guests, and among its other conveniences 
possesses a large hall for dancing. This popular resort is reached by two roads 
from Leadville. 

NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY. 

At the Evergreen Lakes is located the national fish hatchery. This is a branch 
of the main hatchery at Washington and is under the supervision of the National 
' Fish Commission. Here are bred annually millions of trout and their kindred, 
which, after reaching a certain age, are turned loose in the numerous trout streams 
throughout the State, assuring an abundant supply of fish at all times. 



FREMONT PASS. 

The Highest Railroad Pass in North America. 

Through an Arcadian valley, on the Blue River branch of the Denver & Rio 
Grande R. R., the approach to Fremont Pass is made. A famous pass, with the 
historic name of him who has been called the Pathfinder, although a later day 
has witnessed greater achievements than his among the Rocky Mountains. A 
journey here deserves the title of a pilgrimage, for from the summit of this pass 
ihe traveler can discern the Mount of the Holy Cross. The scene is one replete 
with vivid interest. Fainter and fainter grow the lines of objects in the valley, 
until at last the clouds envelop the train, and at the next moment the observer 
looks down upon a rolling mass of vapor through which the light strikes in many 
colored beams. The sublimity of the scene forbids all thoughts other than those 
of reverence and rapture. The railway crosses the pass at an altitude of 1 1,330 feet. 



MOUNT OF THE HOLY CROSS. 

From the crest of Fremont Pass the traveler looks eagerly about and soon 
catches sight of the sacred symbol which gives name to the famous mount. The 
snow-white emblem of Christian faith gleams with bright splendor against the 
azure sky. The wayfarer at last realizes that he has reached that height "around 
whose summit splendid visions rise." This is the best point of view from which 
to behold this wonderful mountain and can be reached by a two hours' ride on 
the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. from Leadville. The Mount of the Holy Cross 
is also visible from a point near Pando, on the main standard-gauge line, but it is 
but a fleeting glimpse. 

TENNESSEE PASS. 

Leaving Leadville the line descends abruptly to Leadville Junction, where an 
additional locomotive is attached to the train for the ascent of the great Conti- 
nental Divide and crosses it at Tennessee Pass at an elevation of 10,240 feet above 
sea-level. The roadway differs some from the Marshall Pass, crossing the same 
range but farther south, inasmuch as its summit is reached m a tunnel through 
the great granite mountain nearly one mile in length. 

The descent on the westward side is rapid, and the blue and limpid waters of 
the Eagle are constantly in sight. While the crossing of this Pass is not so bold 
or striking as the daring work on Marshall Pass, nor does it give the awe-inspir- 
ing heights of Toltec Gorge, it is none the less interesting and beautiful. 



40 



RED CLIFF— EAGLE RIVER CANON — STEAMBOAT SPRINGS. 



Population, 
Elevation, - 



- 400 
8.608 



RED CUFF. 

Mountain Mining Town. 

Red Cliff is situated on the Eagle River, on the standard- 
gauge through line of tlie Denver & Rio Grande R. R. at the 
toot'of Tennessee Pass. It is a flourishing mining town and is 
in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by the grand- 
est of scenery. Good hunting and fishing can be found here and good accommo- 
dations for the tourist. 

Mount of the Holy Cross — From the hills near Red Cliff one can obtain 
an unusually fine view of the famed Mount of the Holy Cross. From here the 
adventurous tourist can make the journey to the Mount if he be so inclined. No 
grander view can be conceived than that of this wonderful mountain, which bears 
upon its bosom the sacred symbol of Christianity. 



EAGLE RIVER CANON. 

Cliff-Perched Dwellings of the Miners. 

Beyond Red Cliff the Eagle River Canon opens to the view at first a compara- 
tively wide expanse, later more narrow, walled in on each side by cliffs of vari- 
colored rocks, whose lofty and apparently insurmountable summits bear the dark 
banners of the pine. Admiration and awe at this stupendous work of nature take 

possession of the mind, 

when suddenly these 
emotions are overshad- 
owed by wonder and 
almost incredulous sur- 
prise at the daring of 
man, for there above us 
on our right, perched 
like the nests of heaven- 
scaling eagles, rest the 
habitations of men — the 
town of Gi Iman ! These 
are the shaft houses 
and abiding places of 
adventurous miners, 
who, having climbed 
these cliffs.pickin hand, 
have he-re discovered 
rich veins of the pre- 
cious metal, which being 
blasted from its matrix, 
is conveyed to the rail- 
road track 2,000 feet 
below, by a most ingeni- 
ous system of tramways 
and endless steel ropes. There is something very impressive in the sight of 
these frail cliff-perched dwellings, and the shaft-penetrated, tunnel-piercetl rock 
peaks suggest irresistibly the fabled cavernous labyrinths of "Kor." Nowhere 
can the traveler find a more interesting and instructive illustration of mine 
methods than is here presented by the shaft-scarred sides of Battle Mountain and 
the pinnacle-perched eyries of Eagle River Canon. 




EAGLE RIVER 

CAI^JON. 



STEAMBOAT SPRINGS. 

Wonderful Hot Springs of Routt County. 

Leaving the railroad at Wolcott station, the tourist can go 
by stage or private conveyance to Steamboat Springs, distant 
seventy miles, and reached by a most interesung and pictur- 
csque route. The road follows up the divide between the Eagle 
and Grand rivers through a fine grazing country, dotted here and there with 
beautiful little lakes. The Kokomo and Sheephorn ranges rise to the east, while 



Population, 
Elevation, - 



- 600 
6,500 



CANON OF THE GRAND. 



41 



the Mount of the Holy Cross towers to the south. From the summit of the divide 
a fine view of the Flat Top Mountains can be obtained. Descending, the traveler 
enters Egeria Park, famous for its lovely scenery, a noted feature oi which is the 
Topanas, or "Sleeping Lion." Finger Rock, 265 feet high from base to top, is 
also a remarkable landmark. 
The first stream crossed is the 
Roaring Fork of the Yampa 
River, along which is to be found 
the finest trout fishing in Colo- 
rado. Elk, deer, bear and moun- 
tain sheep abound here. Pro- 
gressing, "Court-House Rocks" 
come into view and beyond is 
the "Devil's Grave." This 
curious uplift in the form of a 
grave, with a great headstone 
rising from one extremity, is an 
object of great interest. Pass- 
ing through Yellow Jacket Pass, 
the Harrison Bottoms fine graz- 
ing lands are entered and soon 
the famous "Steamboat Springs" 
are reached. The springs send 
off clouds of steam and its escape 
makes a peculiar pui^ng noise, 
whence the name. There are 
sixty of these springs, embrac- 
ing those characterized by 
sulphur, magnesia, iron and 
soda. The springs vary from 
156 degrees of heat to cold. 
The scenery around the springs 
is exceedingly attractive. The 
Storm Mountains, around whose 
surnmits storm clouds always 
gather. Crystal Park, Soda Park, Sheddegger*s Park, and Fish Creek Falls are all 
objects of interest, and within a radius of ten miles. The Fish Creek Falls are 
three m.iles east of Steamboat Springs, they are 150 feet in height and have a 
width of eighty feet. Those in search of health, the beautiful in nature or who 
enjoy the recreation of the sportsman or fisherman cannot do better than make 
a visit to Steamboat Springs. 

The town of Steamboat Springs is a thriving village with a wonderful future. 
It has free public library, public schools, churches, fine water supply, an unusually 
large number of mercantile establishments, banks, planing mill and flouring mills. 

Hotels — Good hotel accommodations for sportsmen and health seekers. 




CANON OF THE GRAND. 



CANON OF THE GRAND. 

One of Creation's Greatest Miracles. 

The Canon of the Grand River is approached through the valley of the Eagle. 
Gradually the valley narrows, high bluffs hem us in on the left, the river is close 
to the track on the right, and its fertile banks suddenly change into a tumbled, 
twisted, black and blasted expanse of scoria. The few trees on the hither side of 
the stream are also black, an inheritance of fire; the waters under the black banks 
and reflecting the blackened trees, take on a swarthy hue — a Stygian picture! 
Just beyond, a distant glimpse of fertile country, and the clear waters of the 
Eagle are lost in the muddy current of the Grand and a canon greater in extent 
and more varied in character than that of the Arkansas opens before us. As the 
train speeds downward, the mountains on the horizon behind us seem to rise 
upwards toward the zenith as though the miracle of creation was being repeated 
before our eyes. Soon, however, the distant mountains are shut out and only the 
sky above, the river and track beneath and the cliffs around are visible, and here 
begins a panorama kaleidoscopic in its ever-changing forms and colors, the wonder 
of one who sees, the despair of the one who wished to tell others what he saw. 



42 



GLENWOOn SPRINGS. 

In places the effect is that of giant Egyptian art and architecture. 



Vast 



bastions of granite, strata on strata, rise to a stupendous height, braced against 
rocl< masses behind them infinitely vaster. Suggestions of the Sphnix and of the 
jiyramuls can be caught in the severe and gigantic rock-piled structure on every 
hand. These are not made up of boulders, nor are they solid monoliths, like those 
in the Royal Gorge. On the contrary, they are columns, bastions, buttresses, walls, 
pyramids, towers, turrets, even statues of stratified stone, with sharp cleavage, 
not in the least weather-worn, presenting the appearance _of Brobdignagian 
masonry; hence, the use ot tlie phrase "rock-piled structures" advisedly and as 
best descriptive of what there exists. 

But the kaleidoscope is shaken and the rock pieces are rearranged. The 
effect is startling. We have left P^gypt, with her shades of gray and her frowning, 
massive andgigantic forms. We are in a region of glowing colors, where the vermil- 
ion, the maroon, the green and the yellow abound and mingle and contrast. What 
strange country was the prototype of this? Ah! yonder is something characteristic 

— a terraced pyramid bounded 
with brilliant and varied col- 
ors — the teocoli of the Aztecs. 

Whirling around a head- 
land of glowing red rock, which 
it seems ought to be called 
"Flamingo point," we are in a 
region of ruddy color and of 
graceful forms. Minarets, from 
whose summits the muezin's 
call might readily be imagined 
falling upon the ear of the 
dwellers in this "Orient in the 
West," spires more graceful than 
that of Bruges, more lofty than 
that of Trinity, towers more mar- 
velous than Pisa's leaning won- 
der, columns more curious than 
that of W'ndome, splintered 
and airy pinnacles, infinite? in 
variety, innumerable ! inimita- 
ble! indescribable! 

In a moment darkness and 
the increased rumble of wheels 
— then light and another mar- 
velous view. We have passed 
tunnel No. i, the portcullis; 
darkness again for a moment, 
then the blue sky above us. We 
have entered through the pos- 
tern gate ; darkness for the third 
time, absolute, unmitigated 
blacknessof darkness — this must 
be "the deepest dungeon 'neath 
the castle moat"— but soon again we see the blessed light and there before us 
lies Glenwood Springs. 

GLENWOOD SPRINGS. 

Health and Pleasure Resort. 

Glenwood Springs is the county seat of Garfield County 
and is situated at the junction of the Grand and Roaring Forks 
rivers. It is reached via the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. 
through line, via Leadville. The ride over Tennessee Pass, 
down through Eagle Canon in sight of the Mount of the Holy Cross, thence 
through Eagle River Cafion across the Valley of the Eagle and through the 
Canon of the Grand River, is a most thrilling, interesting and romantic experience 
and can be accomplished in four hours. At its termination the tourist or the 
invalid finds himself in a valley or park fully 5,700 feet above sea-level, protected 




^^f'mmw. 



SECOND TUNNEL, CANON OF THE GRAND. 



Population, 
Elevation, - 



1,600 
5,758 



GLENWOOD SPRINGS. 



43 




on every side by lofty mountains, which holds within its limits a series of hot 

sulphur springs bursting out of the mountain rocks and forming lakes of large 

proportions, making natural bathing places which by artificial means have been 
• rendered very convenient for the use of man. This hot sulphur water, used as a 

drink or to 

bathe in, has 

been found 

very effica- 
cious asarem- 

edy in many 

diseases, and 

the volume of 

the water is 

so great that 

there seems to 

be no limit to 

the uses to 

which it may 
J5e applied, or 

to the number 

of people who 

may partake 

of or be bene- 

fited by it. 

Above the 

springs, as 

they rush out 

of the rocks, 

are lar^e ooen hotel Colorado and bath house. 

caves which, somewhere within their recesses, must have communication with 
the hot sulphur water below, because they are filled with the hot sulphur vapor 
or steam, which rushes out from 'their mouths in dense clouds. One may enter 
these caves, divest one's self of clothing, penetrate as far as the heat will allow, 
and partake of a natural hot sulphur vapor bath such as can be had nowhere 
else in the world, and which must be of great remedial or curative value for many 
complaints that the human frame is afflicted with. The trout fishing is superb. 
Trout of two to eight pounds weight are taken in great numbers, and with little 
trouble. In the fall and winter the hunting is very fine; deer, elk, bear, grouse 
and ptarmigan being driven into the park in great numbers by the heavy snows 
on the surrounding mountains. The winter climate is quite mild; hundreds of 
invalids remain at the hotels the entire season. 

HOTEL COLORADO. 

Glenvvood is well supplied with hotels. The Hotel Colorado, completed and 
opened in June, i8g3, at a cost of $350,000, is probably one of the finest resort 
hotels in the United States. It is built of peach-blow Colorado stone and contains 
220 guest rooms and 100 private baths, is built in Italian style, and located 
immediately under the shadow of the mountains, with the banks of the famous 
Pool and magnificent bath houise immediately in front of it. It is surrounded by 
beautiful parks and drives, and withal is a most delightful place to spend a 
season. This beautiful hotel is managed by Mr. E. A. Thayer, proprietor of the 
Rio Grande Hotel Co., which operates all the eating houses on the line of the 
Denver & Rio Grande R. R. The Hotel Glenwood, also conducted by Mr. 
Thayer, provides first class accommodations. 

The Hunter's Paradise — Perhaps the best hunting and fishing in all the 
Rocky Mountains can be found on the headwaters of the White and Yampa or 
Bear rivers in northwestern Colorado. To reach these wild and virgin regions 
take the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. to Glenwood Springs, where horses and 
pack animals can be obtained. From this point a journey of forty miles north- 
ward brings the sportsman to Trapper's Lake, at the head of the White River, 
from which two men recently took 500 pounds of trout in a single day. The 
head of Bear River lies thirty miles further north and affords a perfect paradise 
for the lovers of outdoor sports. The whole region abounds in deer, elk, bear 
and other large game. 



Population, 4,000 
Elevation, - 7,874 



44 ASPEN— GLEKUOOD SPRINGS TO GRAND JUNCTION. 

ASPEN. 

Mining Town, 

Aspen, a mining town of note, is situated at the terminus 
of the Aspen branch, an important feeder to the main line, 
reaching in a southeasterly direction from Glenwood Springs 
a distance of forty-one miles. Aspen ranks as a city of the 
second class, is the county seat of Pitkin County, and has a well organized and 
efficient city government. The streets are wide and in the residence section tliey 
are lined with trees. The city is supplied with a fine system of waterworks, by 
which the inhabitants are furnished with the purest water, and it has one of the 
most perfect electric-light systems in the State. 

The city is situated in a beautiful park that is well enclosed with mountains 
of the most picturesque character. The ground slopes gently to the Roaring 
Fork, a gem among mountain streams, room enough being afforded to accommo- 
date a large population of busy people. The elevation of the city is just sufficient 
to give a pleasant climate and is low enough to make vegetation luxuriant. All 
kinds of vegetables are grown and the lawns are clad in luxuriant verdure. The 
climate of Aspen is salubrious. In winter the ground is well covered with snow, • 
but the weather is never severe. In summer the days are never excessively hot, 
while the nights are always cool. The enclosing mountains protect the city from 
the winds that are so common in many places. This feature of the climate is 
peculiar and is well held to be a great attraction. Those suffering from throat or 
lung troubles, and dyspeptics universally, find renewed health after a very short 
residence. The mineral belt upon which Aspen is located is believed to be the 
richest ever discovered in the world. The first locations at this point were made 
as far back as 1879. Considerable work was done and many important discov- 
eries made during the immediately succeeding years. The mineral resources of 
the camp were shown to be sufficient to justify the construction of a railroad to 
the place. Early in 1887, the Denver & Rio Grande management determined to 
build, and in November its trains were running into Aspen. Since that time the 
development of the camp has been marvelous. It is now producing at a rate of 
more than $10,000,000 a year, and the output is being rapidly increased. The 
mineral belt passing through Pitkin County is forty miles long, only three miles 
of which have been developed, and the results obtained indicate plainly what the 
future of the Aspen district is to be. Aspen combines great activity in mining 
with beautiful, attractive surroundings, and this combination will always make it 
a point of interest to tourists. From Aspen drives extend in every direction to 
attractive mountain resorts. Ashcroft is fourteen miles distant, the road leading 
up Castle Creek, probably the most beautiful stream in the State. Maroon Lake, 
near the head of Maroon Creek, is reached by a drive that is unsurpassed in 
natural features. Curtis Lakes, eight miles up the Roaring Fork, is a delightful 
resort. These are only a few of the points that the tourist will find pleasure in 
visiting. The streams are filled with trout and good hunting is found in the 
neighboring mountains. 

Hotels — Aspen is well supplied with hotels, the Hotel Jerome being a fine 
new brick structure, well managed and deservedly popular. The Clarendon 
Hotel is another hostelry of considerable note. 



GLENWOOD SPRINGS TO GRAND JUNCTION. 

Leaving Glenwood Springs the line of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. crosses 
the Grand River at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and continues along the 
north bank until Grand Junction is reached. 

First after leaving Glenwood we reach New Castle, noted for its coal mines, 
coke ovens and burning mountain. Then comes Rifle, in the midst of a great 
agricultural and game country, the debarking point for Meeker and the great 
hunting fields of northwest Colorado; Parachute, De Beque and Palisade, three 
towns of growing importance situated in the heart of the finest peach growing 
country in the world. The shipment of peaches, apricots, nectarines and kindred 
fruits from the large orchards of the Grand Valley is excessively large, necessi- 
tating in the season special trains run on passenger-train schedule, composed 
exclusively of specially constructed fruit cars. Fruit culture is the great and 



Population, - 100 
Elevation, - 7,480 



PONCHA HOT SPRINGS— MARSHALL PASS— AMONG THE CLOUDS. 45 

growing industry of this beautiful Grand Valley, and the three towns mentioned, 
together with Grand Junction, are the principal distributing points. 

Sugar beets are cultivated largely and shipped to the sugar works at Grand 
Junction. In addition to its agricultural and horticultural value the Grand Valley 
is a natural game preserve, and from all the points mentioned a horseback or 
wagon journey of a few hours will bring the sportsman to large game in 
abundance. Elk, deer, antelope, bear, lions, wolves, bob cats, grouse and other 
feathered game abound in great numbers, and all streams are full of the finny tribe. 

Hotels of good quality, livery, guides, sportsmen's supplies, etc., are to be 
found at all these points. 

PONCHA HOT SPRINGS. 

Pleasure and Health Resort. 

These noted Hot Springs are situated on the narrow-gauge 
line of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R., five miles southwest 
of Salida. As a resort for invalids, this place offers superior 
inducements, especially to those suffering from chronic troubles. 
The sick get well here in less time and with less medicine than in any other sanita- 
rium outside of Colorado. The return to health here is made radically permanent. 
A great variety of diseases are cured by the peculiar earth-heated and earth-med- 
icated waters and an intelligent system of baths. The scenery is in the heart of 
the grand old Rocky Mountains, and is too sublimely beautiful, and picturesque 
for adequate description. The effect on the sick is wonderfully beneficial, corre- 
lating a specific energy with the climate and pure atmosphere, and the very feeble 
are enabled to tolerate much hotter baths than in damper or lower altitudes, and 
secure correspondingly greater results. The analysis of the Poncha Hot Springs 
corresponds almost exactly with the waters of the Hot Springs in Arkansas. The 
temperature of the various Arkansas Hot Springs varies from qo*^ to 175°; that of 
the Poncha Springs varies from go'' to 185" Fahrenheit. The water is clear as 
crystal and perfectly odorless and tasteless. It quenches thirst, whether hot or 
cold, and does not disturb the stomach in any manner. There are ninety-nine of 
these hot springs, all flowing from a great field of tufa, the natural precipitation 
of ages of loss of temperature from contact with the atmosphere, and chemically 
the same as the tufa of the Arkansas Hot Springs. The flow of water from the 
springs is large enough to bathe 40,000 persons daily. Commodious bath houses 
have been erected, and competent physicians are in attendance. 

The waters are said to be a sure cure for rheumatism and all blood and skin 
diseases and catarrh. 

Hotels — At the Hot springs Hotel good accommodations can be secured, 
and, together with boarding houses, comfortable quarters can be found for 200 
visitors. 

MARSHALL PASS-AMONG THE CLOUDS. 

Through Poncha Pass, whose lesser glories lead up to the grand surprises of 
Marshall Pass, as an introductory symphony leads up to the triumphant music 
of a majestic march, the traveler makes his advent. Gradually the view becomes 
less obstructed by mountain sides, and the eye roams over miles of cone-shaped 
summits. The timberless tops of towering ranges show him that he is among the 
heights and in a region familiar with the clouds. Then he beholds, stretching 
away to the left, the most perfect of all the Sierras. The sunlight falls with a 
white transfiguring radiance upon the snow-crowned spires of the Sangre de Cristo 
Range. Their sharp and dazzling pyramids, which near at hand are clearly 
defined, extend to the southward until cloud and sky and snowy peak commingle 
and form a vague and bewildering vision. To the right towers the fire-scarred 
front of old Ouray, gloomy and grand, solitary and forbidding. Ouray holds the 
pas^, standing sentinel at the rocky gateway to the fertile Gunnison. Slowly the 
steeps are conquered, until at last the train halts upon the summit of Marshall 
Pass, The awful silence of the storm-tossed granite ocean lies beneath. The 
traveler looks down upon four lines of road, terrace beyond terrace, the last so 
far below as to be quite indistinct to view. These are only loops of the almost 
spiral pathway of descent. Wonder at the triumphs of engmeering skill is 
strangely mingled with feelings of awe and admiration at the stupendous grandeur 



46 WAI'NITA HOT SPRINGS— GUNNISON— CRESTED BUTTE. 

of the scene. The grade on both sides of Marshall Pass between Mears Junction 
and Sargent, a distance of thirty-two miles, is one of 4 per cent, or 2 11. 2 feet to the 
mile. At the sununit an elevation of 10,856 feet above the sea-level is reached, or 
296 feet more than two statute miles. A halt of ten minutes gives the visitor an 
opportunity to ascend to the observatory constructed above the station, which 
elevation commands a view of both Atlantic and Pacihc Slopes, one of, if not 
quite, the most awe-inspiring views on the continent. 



Population, - 25 
Elevation, - 7,364 



WAUNITA HOT SPRINGS. 

The Waunita Hot Springs are situated ten miles from 
Doyle, a station on the narrow-gauge line of the Denver & Rio 
Grande R. R., 271 miles from Denver and 29 miles west from 
the summit of Marshall Pass. The waters have long been 
famous for their great medicinal qualities and they have been frequented by those 
suffering from ill health, with the most surprising and gratifying results. A bath 
house with private baths and a large swimming pool, with dressing rooms for 
ladies and gentlemen, stands adjacent to the hot springs. Good accommodations 
have been provided for invalids and tourists. A hotel of fifty guest rooms, with 
spacious parlors and halls, heated throughout with water from the hot springs, 
having been recently erected. The scenery surrounding the springs is unsur- 
passed and no pleasanter place can be found by the searcher after health or 
pleasure. Stages connect with the railway trains at Doyle, and the stage journey 
of ten miles but adds to the enjoyment of the trip. 



GUNNISON. 

County Seat of Gunnison County. 



Population, 1,500 
Elevation, - 7,683 



Gunnison is a flourishing town on the Gunnison River and 
is located on the narrow-gauge line of the Denver & Rio 
Grande R. R. between Salida and Grand Junction. Here also 
is the junction of the Crested Butte branch with the main line. 
Mines of silver, copper, lead and coal are found in the vicinity and smelters 
have been erected to treat the ores. The town is beautifully situated and is in 
such close proximity to some of the most attractive scenery of the Rocky Moun- 
tains that it has become a favorite objective point for tourists. The Gunnison 
River offers fine sport for the fisherman and the hills abound in game. 

Hotels — The La Veta Hotel is one of the most magnificent in Colorado, 
being erected at a cost of $225,000. It is also t.he ■^v .' \g station for the Denver 
& Rio Grande R. R. Smaller hotels, restaurants -. boarding '■■juses abound, 
so that the traveler will find no lack of suitable acc^i odations. 



Population, 1,200 
Elevation, - 8,878 



CRESTED BUfTE. 

Mining Town, Health and Fisliing Resort. 

This pretty village is situated most delightfully among the 
mountains at the northern terminus of the Crested Butte 
branch, twenty-eight miles from Gunnison, one castellated 
peak directly opposite the town conferring the name it bears. 
This is the center of the most remarkable coal region yet discovered in Colorado 
and abounding also in rich mines of gold and silver. At Crested Butte, just back 
of the village, is found abundant measures of exceedingly bituminous coal, which 
is mined largely and made into coke. Four miles north of the town anthracite 
coal, equal in every respect to the best found in Pennsylvania, is taken from the 
top of a mountain and shipped all over Colorado and Utah. Eleven miles beyond 
Crested Butte is Ruby, to which point a branch road known as the Ruby-Anthra- 
cite line extends, the traf^c of which consists of immense quantities of bituminous 
and anthracite coal. The fishing and hunting in the mountain streams and over 
the wooded hills furnish abundant sport for the residents and tourists and the 
rides and drives afford an almost infinite variety of scenery. 

Hotels — The Elk Mountain House is the leading hotel and affords accom- 
modations of a first-class quality. 



BLACK CANON. 



47 



Scenery in the Elk Mountains— Perhaps the finest mountain scenery in 
Colorado, and certainly the least known to tourists, is found in the Elk Mountain 
region, near Crested Butte. A majority of the peaks composing this range stand 
isolated, rising without foothills or mesa a sheer 6,000 or 8,000 feet above the 
level of the plain. 

BLACK CANON. 

The Grand Gorge of the Gunnison. 

Twenty-six miles west of Gunnison we reach Sapinero, the junction point of 
the Lake City branch, and just as we leave Sapinero (still on the main line) we 
enter the portals of the justly famous Black Canon of the Gunnison. In all the 
world there is no place so beautiful, imposing, sublime and awful that may be so 
easily and comfortably visited as the Black Canon, for the iron horse has a path- 
way through the canon 
and he draws after hmi 
coaches as handsome 
and pleasant as those 
which he draws on the 
level plain. Along 
many miles of this 
grand gorge the rail- 
way lies upon a shelf 
that has been blasted 
in the solid walls of 
God's masonry; walls 
that stand sheer 2,000 
feet in height and so 
close together that for 
most of the distance 
through the canon only 
a streak of sky, some- 
times in broad daylight, 
spangled with stars, is 
seen above. Once in a 
while the railroad 
changes sides with the noisy stream, the waters of which, in the semi-twilight that 
prevails between the rising and going down of the sun, seem to be of an exquisite 
emerald green. Unlike many of the Colorado canons, the scenery in this one is 
kaleidoscopic, ever changing. Here the train glides along between the close, 
regular and exalted walls, then suddenly it passes the mouth of another mighty 
canon, which looks as if it were a great gateway and unroofed arcade resembling 
the pathway of some monstrous giant. Now, at a sharp turn, there is a stream of 
liquid crystal pitching from the top of a dizzy cliff to the bosom of a sparkling 
pool which lies beside the road. Then a spacious amphitheatre is passed, in the 
center of which stands, solitary and alone, a towering monument of solid stone 
which reaches to where it flaunts the clouds like some great cathedral spire. 
This is the famed Curecanti Needle. At another place the train goes sailing 
straight as the flight of an arrow, right at a bronze and ponderous bulwark that 
looks as if the cars must crash against it and pile up in broken and splintered 
masses at the base of its rugged and beetling front, but just when, seemingly, 
the pilot must charge the frowning wall, and when before and to the right and left 
there appears to be no means of escape, the engine, as if playing "tag" with the 
cliffs, darts to one side with the swiftness of a weasel and away it goes, train and 
all, thundering down another stretch of the echoing gorgeway. 

• Cimarron Canon — Where Cimarron Creek empties into the Gunnison 
through a short cafion, the road leaves Black Caiion, which continues on with the 
larger stream, heightening in awfulness. Down there the fall of the river 
increases so rapidly that to follow it to the end the railroad would emerge 1,000 
feet below the valley which it seeks, if a practicable grade should be kept, so the 
engineers have turned the road out to the valley through Cimarron Canon, and in 
four or five miles a verdureless expanse is reached, and for hours the road 
traverses a region which is picturesque in its poverty and desolation; and in the 
summer the distant and sun-heated buttes, with the arid plains between, remind 
the traveler of the wastes of Arabia Petra. The Cimarron abounds in trout and 




CHIPETA FALLS, 
BLACK CANON 



LAKE CITY BRANCH — LAKE CITY. 



49 



the country around is alive with large game. The sportsman will find good 
accommodations at the station of Cimarron and will be amply repaid by the 
splendid sport he will enjoy here. 

Cerro Divide is reached directly after emerging from Cimarron Canon. 
From here the Uncompahgre Valley, its river and the distant, picturesque peaks 
of the San Juan are within full sight of the traveler. Descending to the valley 
we come to a halt at Montrose. 



LAKE CITY BRANCH. 

Leaving the main line and following along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison 
from Sapinero, you pass through the weird and dismal canon of the Lake Fork, 
that fills the mind with awe and wonder, thence winding through an ever chang- 
ing view of glen and vale, gorge and canon, presenting a glorious panorama of 
delightful scenery. A trip of forty miles brings you to Lake City, nestled among 
the hills in the very heart of the mountains. 



Population, 7,200 
Elevation, - 8,686 



LAKE CITY. 

Lake City is one of the prettiest little towns in the moun- 
tains. It lies in a beautiful little amphitheatre at the junction 
of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and Hensen Creek. 
The city is well laid out, with shade trees on each street, which 

give it a handsome and picturesque appearance. Small streams of water, pure 

and clear as crystal, flow down the sides of each street, 

insuring a perfect system of sewage. No better class 

of buildings can be found in any mountain town; 

there are solid, substantial blocks of brick and 

stone that would do credit to a metropolitan 

city. Its climate is mild and equable, the 

snowfall is light in winter and the mountains 

protect it from winds. The town has hand- 
some and substantial public school edifices; 

four religious denominations are represented; 

the population is intelligent and 

moral; there are good hotels 

and superior and convenient 

terminal railroad facilities; an 

electric light system and a first- 
class system of waterworks. 

Every arrangement has been 

made forcomfort and cleanliness. 
Lake City lies in the center 

of one of the richest mining 

sections of Colorado. Capital 

City, Rose's Cabin, Cottonwood, 

Sherman, Burrows Park and 

Carson are all tributary mining 

camps, and all are rich in great 

and exhaustless ore bodies. The 

mountain sides are literally 

ribbed and seamed with veins 

of mineral. Hinsdale County is 

the home of the true fissure, with 

its inexhaustible wealth. The 

ores are principally galena and 

gray copper. 

For those in quest of health Lake City presents superior attractions. The 

summers are delightfully cool and pleasant, extremes of cold and oppressive 

heat are unknown. With its pure, bracing air and clear, cold water, it is 

unrivaled as a sanitarium for those who are ailing. There are a number of fine 

mineral springs in the immediate vicinity which have become famous for their 

curative qualities. 




CURECANTI NEEDLE. 



50 UNCOMPAHGRE PEAK— LAKE SAN CHRISTOVAL — MONTROSE— DELTA. 

UNCOMPAHGRE PEAK. 

To the tourist, pleasure seeker and mountain climber, Lake City offers special 
inducements. He can make a trip to Uncompahgre Peak, 14419 ^eet above sea- 
level, and enjoy one of the grandest sights miaginable. It is but eight miles from 
town and a good wagon road all the way to its base. The route is by Hensen 
Creek Canon; great mountain ranges rise on each side of you, crags and peaks 
that pierce the sky with their spires. In every canon you pass on the way are 
scenes of marvelous beauty. Standing on the summit of Uncompahgre when 
the air is clear and transparent the vista is grand beyond description; the world 
is beneath you, mountain piled upon mountain, range upon range, lie at your feet. 
To the eastward are seen the plains of Colorado stretching awav in the distance, 
while to the westward the eye takes in the valleys of Utah, while the Wasatch 
Range lies like a cloud on the distant horizon. 



LAKE SAN CHRISTOVAL. 

A trip to Lake San Christoval is also delightful in summer; it would be hard 
to find a lovelier spot in the Rocky Mountams. A mile from Lake City you pass 
the beautiful Granite Falls, another mile brings you to Argenta Falls, whose 
waters come down in sheets of foam and falls with a noise like thunder into the 
seething chasm beneath; half a mile further and Lake San Christoval is seen in 
all its beauty. This lake was discovered by a Spanish monk in the seventeenth 
century and is a beautiful sheet of water, clear and transparent, two and a half 
miles long and one mile wide; it is studded with fairy-like isles, where boating 
parties go to.enjoy a picnic; the variety of scenery along its borders is the wonder 
and delight of the artist, and a sail on its waters in the cool, refreshing breeze is 
delightful. The San Juan is well named the Switzerland of America, and around 
Lake City are many of its scenic features. Its glens and its valleys surpass the 
Bernese Oberland; its peaks and domes may be compared without exaggeration 
with those of the Jungfrau and Matterhorn. 



Population, 1,500 
Elevation, - 6.811 



MONTROSE. 

Center of Agricultural District. 

Montrose is the center and distributing point for a vast 
agricultural district, whose produce is shipped to all points in 
the State. There are several large irrigating ditches taking 
water from the LIncompahgre River, which insure the farmer, 
or m western parlance, ranchman, his crop. Montrose is prosperous and with its 
contiguous agricultural and horticultural country bids fair to be a metropolis. It 
is at Montrose that the Ouray branch, described elsewhere in these pages, con- 
nects with the main line. 

There are several good hotels in Montrose, the principal one being the Bel- 
vedere. Here is also the eating station for Denver & Rio Grande trains. 



Population, 1,000 
Elevation, - 4,980 



DELTA. 

Agricultural Town. 

Like Montrose, Delta is a town whose entire resources are 
dependent on the products of the soil. The country surround- 
ing Delta is very prolific, and its produce is much sought for 
in the markets of the larger cities. Like the Grand Valley on 
the standard-gauge line to the north, the Gunnison Valley is a great fruit country 
and enormous crops of peaches and other fruits, together with the hardy grains 
are grown and successfully harvested each year. Hotchkiss, Pomona, Cedar 
Edge and other small towns adjacent to Delta, but off the line of railway, owe 
their origin and growth to the vast agricultural and horticultural country sur- 
rounding them. 

Lower Gunnison Canon— After passing Delta and traversing the rich 
farming lands of the valley, the road passes through the lower Gunnison Cafion, 
which abounds in striking and beautiful scenery. 



GRAND JUNCTION — SCENES ON THE SALT LAKE LINE— CASTLE GATE. 5 1 

GRAND JUNCTION. 

Agricultural and Horticultural Center. 
Grand Junction is well named, for here is the converging 



Population, 4,000 point of the Standard and narrow-gauge lines of the Denver & 
Elevation, - 4,594 Rio Grande R. R. with the Rio Grande Western line for 
Ogden, Salt Lake and the Pacific Coast, as well as the con- 
fluence of the two largest rivers in Colorado, the Gunnison and the Grand. It is 
the commercial center of a vast agricultural and horticultural region and is also 
within easy access of one of the large coal fields of the Pacific Slope. Natural 
gas is found in abundance. The country contiguous to Grand Junction produces 
the finest fruit in the west; ready market at the best prices is always attainable 
in Denver, Pueblo and other larger cities, to which places great quantities of 
pears, apples, peaches and grapes are shipped every year. The discovery that 
sugar beets could be raised cheaply and satisfactorily in the country around 
Grand Junction, led the capitalists of the State to invest in the construction of a 
plant for the conversion of this vegetable into sugar. The plant is large and has 
enormous capacity and as the production of beets increase can easily enlarge 
this capacity. The beets raised in the vicinity are particularly valuable for sugar 
manufacture, running as high as 15 and 18 per cent in saccharine matter and 
being fully 90 per cent pure. Farmers in the neighborhood are devoting large 
acreages to the cultivation of the beet, as remunerative crops, with the aid of 
irrigation, is assured. This industry is also being developed in other parts of the 
State, and the day is not far distant when Colorado will rank among the foremost 
in the production of sugar, a truly valuable and interesting addition to its long 
list of business interests. 



SCENES ON THE SALT LAKE LINE. 

The Book Cliffs— The space of over one hundred miles intervening 
between the Grand and Green rivers resembles a billowy desert and is especially 
interesting for its wild and peculiar characteristics. Close by, on the north, are 
the richly-colored Book Cliffs, while away to the southward the snowy groups of 
the Sierra la Sal and San Rafael glisten in the distance. Between them may 
be distinguished the broken walls which mark the Grand Cafion of the Colorado, 
scarcely fifty miles away. Beyond Green River and Castle Valley commences the 
steep ascent of the Wasatch Mountains and the beautiful in nature again appears. 

Castle Canon — Near the Azure Cliffs, so called from the color of the clay, 
the Green and Grand rivers join to form the sublime Colorado, which flows 
into the Gulf of California. Beyond is Castle Caiion, at the entrance to which 
stand two towering sandstone shafts which rise to the height of 500 feet, looking 
like monstrous castles, with battlements, bastions and turrets guarding the way 
and just wide enough apart for the train to pass between. The cafion which 
follows is another of sublime beauty. Great walls and dome-appearing rocks lift 
on either side in appalling grandeur, and the tourist is deeply impressed with the 
sublimity of the scene. After a few miles through this grand gorge the train 
plunges into the heart of the Wasatch Mountains and then emerges into the 
beautiful and fertile valley of Utah, in the center of which lies a long, blue sheet 
of water, Utah Lake. 

CASTLE GATE. 

Guarding the way to Price River Caiion, through which the railroad runs into 
the very heart of the range, stands Castle Gate, similar in many respects to the 
gateway in the Garden of the Gods. The two huge pillars, or ledges of rock com- 
posing it, are offshoots of the cliffs behind. They are of different heights, one 
measuring 500 and the other 450 feet from the top to the base. They are richly 
dyed with red and the firs and pines growing about them, but reaching only to 
their lower strata, render this coloring more noticeable and beautiful. Between 
the two sharp promontories, which are separated only by a narrow space, the river 
and the railroad both run, one pressing closely against the other. The stream 
leaps over a rocky bed and its banks are lined with tangled brush. Once past 
the gate, and looking back, the bold headlands forming it have a new and more 



PROVO — SALT LAKE CITY. 



53 



attractive beauty. They are higher and more massive, it seems, than when we 
were in their shadow. Huge rocks project far out from their perpendicular faces. 
No other pinnacles approach them in size and majesty. They are landmarks up and 
down the canon, their lofty tops catching the eye before their bases are discovered. 

Soldier Summit is the next 
striking feature on the route to 
Salt Lake; so called from the 
fact that the United States troops 
under Albert Sidney Johnston, 
en route to Salt Lake City in the 
'40's crossed the Wasatch Range 
at this point. Then come in quick 
succession the Red Narrows and 
Spanish Fork Canon. These are 
all characterized by beauty and 
grandeur; they are full of charm- 
ing contrasts, soft contours and 
whispering waters. 

Utah Valley resembles in 
its Arcadian loveliness the vales 
of Scotland, and is a mountain- 
girdled, well-cultivated park. 
The entire valley is covered with 
fine farms and orchards, trav- 
ersed in all directions by a most 
extensive system of irrigating 
canals, insuring the hardy farmer large and lucrative crops of fruit and grain. 

Utah Lake lies in the center of the valley of the same name. It is a pic- 
turesque sheet of clear, fresh water, to the north of which lie the Mormon towns 
of Provo and Springville. The scene is an entrancing one. Eastward the oblong 
basin is shut in by the Wasatch Mountains, and on the west is the Oquirrh Range. 
Northward are low hills, or mesas, crossing the valley and separating it from that 
of the Great Salt Lake, while in the south, the east and west ranges approach 
each other and form blue-tinted walls of uneven shape. To the left of this 
barrier, Mount Nebo, highest and grandest of the Utah peaks, rises majestically 
above all surroundings. Its summit sparkles with snow, its lower slopes are 
wooded and soft, while from it and extending north and south run vast, broken, 
vari-colored confreres. The valley is like a well-kept garden; farm joins farm; 
crystal streams water it, and scattered about in rich confusion are long lines of 
fruit trees, amid which are trim white houses. Salt Lake City is visible and 
beyond slumber the waters of the Great Salt Lake. 




PROVO. 



Population, 
Elevation, ■ 



6,000 
4,517 



Summer Resort and Agricultural Center. 

Provo is pleasantly situated on the Provo River, a little 
back from Utah Lake, and shaded by the near peaks of the 
Wasatch Mountains, at whose base it lies, forty-eight miles 
southeast of Salt Lake City. Its streets are wide and well laid 
out, lined with trees, and one of its chief characteristics is the' great number of 
large and elegant private buildings it possesses. Provo is a pleasant summer 
resort, and is a favored spot for relaxation and rest. It is well provided with good 
hotel accommodations. 



SALT LAKE CITY. 

Capital of Utah. 

Salt Lake City, the interesting city by the great salt sea, 
is in a veritable garden. Low and picturesque adobe houses 
harmonize in their cool, quiet tones with the extensive orchards 
of fruit and gardens of flowers which surround them, and the 
business blocks in the center of the city are imposing and strong. Salt Lake City 
has long since advanced to a foremost place among the cities of the Union. Its 



Population, 65,000 
Elevation, - 4.228 



54 THE GREAT SALT LAKE — SALTAIR BEACH. 

business interests are large and varied, and its merchants rank with the merchant 
princes of the world. Wide, well-paved streets, first-class electric street-railway 
syslcni, electric lights, gas, excellent waterworks, efficient fire department, metro- 
politan police force, theatres and hotels, all combine to give Salt Lake City the 
advantages and charm of a large eastern metropolis. Back upon a "bench," and 
several hundred feet above the city, is Fort Douglas, the flag of the Republic 
standing out in bright relief against the Wasatch. The buildings are partly cov- 
ered with and surrounded by trees, while the sun lights up in glinting sparkles of 
gold the polished cannon that stands on guard. In this place it has no warlike 
look, and the picture would miss an interesting and bright feature were it removed. 
Strong and rapid mountain streams come rushing through the canons and are 
led into the city where the clear, cold, limpid waters sing a pleasant song as they 
sport and play along the sides of the streets, where they are conducted through 
the entire city. The Ocjuirrh Mountains shut in the valley to the west, the Great 
Salt Lake, twenty miles away, glimmering in the sunlight like a stream of silver. 
The great object of interest to the tourist and stranger is Temple Square; here 
are situated the great ecclesiastical buildings of the Mormon church. Promi- 
nent among them is the Temple, Tabernacle and Assembly Hall, as shown in 
the illustration. 

Hotels— Salt Lake is well supplied with first-class hotels, among which are 
the Knutsford, the Templeton, the Cullen, the Walker House, the Continental, 
the Clift, the White House and the Metropolitan. There are many smaller hotels 
and an abundance of restaurants and boarding houses. 



THE GREAT SALT LAKE. 

This great lake is a mysterious inland sea, which more than any other body 
of water on the globe has created and left unsatisfied the curiosity of mankind. 
Its dead, dreamy, silent, tideless, slumbering waters are still an enigma, both to 
the learned and unlearned. The lake has an area of 2,500 square miles and 
its surface is higher than the Alleghany Mountains. Its mean depth is about 
sixty feet and numerous small islands ornament its bosom, the principal of which 
are Antelope and Stanbury. At different periods the level of the lake has 
changed and rechanged most perceptibly, which has led scientists to conjecture 
that the shore land was by no means stable. It compares with other bodies of 
saline water analytically as follows : 

Water. Solids. 

Atlantic Ocean 96 5 35 

Mediterranean g6 2 38 

Deatl Sea 76 o 24 o 

Great Salt Lake 86 o 14 o 

In specific gravity, distilled water being unity, the following comparison exists: 

Ocean Water i 027 

Dead Sea i 116 

Great Salt Lake i 107 

Of late its waters have been numerously frequented for bathing purposes and 
there cannot be any doubt whatever of their valuable hygienic effects. This fact, 
in addition to the many mineral springs abounding in Utah, makes it a sanitary 
as well as a scenic paradise. 



SALTAIR BEACH. 

The Saltair Beach bathing resort, on the great Salt Lake, about eighteen miles 
from the city, is by far the best place on the lake to enjoy its magnificent bath- 
ing. During the season bathing trains are run almost hourly from the Rio Grande 
station at Salt Lake City to Saltair ; these trains enable all overland passengers 
stopping off at Salt Lake City to have a bath in the great dead sea. Saltair is 
only a few minutes' ride from the city and has good hotel accommodations, and 
then besides the bracing waters, the climate is delightful. The mountains rise 
into a cool sky, furrowed with canons almost Yosemitic in grandeur and filled 
with a glorious profusion of flowers and trees. Lovers of science, lovers of 
wilderness, lovers of pure rest will find here more than they ever may hope for. 



SALT LAKE TO OGDEN — OGDEN— HUNIING AND FISHING. 55 

Here is located the finest bathing pavilion on the continent, each of the bath 
rooms is fitted with shower bath, stationary water bowls, mirrors, chairs, incandes- 
cent electric lights, etc., making Saltair one of the most attractive watering places 
on the continent. There is a first-class restaurant ; careful male and female 
attendants, and a silver-cornet band furnishes music day and evening. The 
second story of the pavilion is given up to a dancing hall, one of the largest in the 
country, and the dancing floor unequaled for the purpose. 

Prof. John Muir, the celebrated scientist and literateur, speaks as follows 
concerning a bath in the Great Salt Lake: "Since the completion of the trans- 
continental and Utah railways this magnificent lake in the heart of the continent 
has become as accessible as any watering place on either coast, and I am sure 
that thousands of travelers, sick and well, would throng to its shores every summer 
were its merits but half known." 



SALT LAKE TO OGDEN. 

From Salt Lake to Ogden the Rio Grande Western Ry. traverses a narrow 
plain. On one side are the dead waters of the Great Salt Lake, on the other the 
serrated peaks of the Wasatch Mountains. The region is highly cultivated. 
Farms reach their brown or green fields over its length and breadth and little 
streams run in bright threads out of mountain canons and across the meadows. 
The lake is in full view of the traveler most of the way and is a never-ending 
source of interest. What history belongs to it ? Why is it, of all America's 
inland seas, salt and without life ? But the train speeds on and, entering an 
amphitheatre set around with mountains, reaches Ogden, the western terminus 
of the Rio Grande Western Ry., the western connection of the Denver & Rio 
Grande R. R., the "Scenic Line of the World." 



Population. 26,000 
Eleuation, - 4,286 



OGDEN. 

Railroad and Manufacturing Center. 

Ogden, the principal city of northern Utah, is beautifully 
located on the western slope of the Wasatch Mountains. It is 
well laid out and well built; the streets are wide, regular and 
lined with shade and ornamental trees and lighted with electric 
light. By a system of waterworks the mountain streams and springs furnish an 
abundant supply of pure water; the natural sewage system is particularly favor- 
able, and many of the private residences and grounds are very handsome and the 
business houses and public buildings are solid and substantial. 

Ogden is the junction point with the Southern Pacific R. R. for the coast, 
also with the Oregon Short Line for Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana 
points. 

Hotels — There are several good hotels in Ogden, one of the best being the 
hotel at the Union Depot. 



HUNTING AND FISHING. 

Colorado, which to-day stands forth as one of the brightest gems among the 
States that make up this great and wonderful land of opportunities, is every- 
where known not only for its vast natural resources but also for the abundance of 
large game that still remains within its boundaries. The principal varieties found 
are deer, elk, antelope, mountain sheep, bear, mountain lions, rabbits, grouse, 
wild turkey, quail, wild doves, wild geese and ducks. 

Wagon Wheel Gap, on the southern extension of the road, is a favorite resort 
for the sportsman, game of every kind abounds in the surrounding hills, and the 
Rio Grande and its confluent streams are full of trout. This is true in general of 
all the clear, rapid water courses among the Colorado hills. Certainly the angler 
can hardly go amiss in search of sport. With many the rarest of sport is enjoyed 
in chasing antelope or rabbits upon the plains with hounds. Nowhere else in 
America are greyhounds so numerous as here, and they seem, by the law of the 
survival of the fittest, likely to still further increase. 

Tn the San Luis Valley, between Alamosa and Saguache, are the San Luis 
Lakes, or marshes, in which may be found a profusion of wild geese and ducks. 



56 THE HIG GAMK COUNTRY. 

These marshes are reached by a day's drive from Alamosa and are readily 
traversed on foot. Swans, also, are found there, and white brant, or snow geese, 
as well as sandhill cranes. t tt /- i 

On the mountains, between Antcinito and Durango, near Los Pmos Creek and 
the Chama River, are extensive regions almost devoid of settlements and here- 
tofore seldom reached by sportsmen. Here are broad plateaus and pleasant 
valleys, where game is abundant, the climate unsurpassed and nothing wanting 

that the hunter can desire. To 
camp out among the pines and 
stalk deer and elk, untroubled by 
niosquitos or flies, with venison 
and trout for diet, plenty of 
elbowroom and scenery that 
might entrance the soul, is a 
consummation any sportsman 
might covet. 

All the San Juan region 
abounds in game and the streams 
and lakes are full of trout. 
Uurango, Silverton, Lake City, 
Ouray, are all excellent head- 
quarters for the hunter, and he 
will have no difficulty in soon 
discovering plenty of elk and 
deer, and, if so disposed, a grizzly 
or a cinnamon bear. 
To the northward, in the Elk Mountain country, near the Gunnison River, 
game is equally abundant. Beyond the Saguache Range, near Red Cliff, are also 
favorable ranges for game of all kinds found in the State. On the Marshall Pass 
narrow-gauge line the sportsman will find excellent fields for enjoyment. Stop- 
ping at Poncha Springs, JVIears, I^arlins, Sapinero, Cimarron, Montrose, Delta or 
Grand Junction, the hunter or fisherman will find superb sport within a radius of 
ai few miles. 




THE BIG GAME COUNTRY. 

The region embraced by Garfield, Rio Blanco and Routt counties is probably 
the greatest game preserve now remainmg on the continent. Within its borders 
are iound all species of big game indigenous to America. Deer, elk and antelope 
abound in the hills and parks of this region, and the streams are filled with 
gamy trout. Should the hunter desire to try conclusions with some of the more 
dangerous wild beasts, such as grizzly, silver-tip and cinnamon bears, mountain 
lions and the larger varieties of the timber wolves, it is only necessary to go in 
search of them and he will surely find them in abundance in almost every part of 
this great game region. 

This district, which for the most part is still untouched by the hand of that 
despicable villain, the hide hunter, can indeed be called "the sportsman's para- 
dise." Within this territory, made up of majestic forests, interspersed with open 
grassy parks of from a few hundred to a thousand acres in extent, and traversed 
by some of the most beautiful trout streams in the world, it is not uncommon to 
see, lying in the shade or grazing in the open, herds of deer and elk numbering 
from three hundred to five hundred head. The hunter will find himself well 
repaid for any expense incurred in reaching this favored spot, as many sportmen 
who take their annual outings in these parts can testify. 

These hunting grounds are very accessible from either Wolcott, Rifle or 
Glenwood Springs on the Denver & Rio Grande R. R., from which points stages 
run regularly to the interior points, where outfits can be obtained. 

From Rifle the objective point in the interior is the thriving little town of 
Meeker, forty-five miles distant, with a population of about 800, being connected 
with a good and reliable stage line capalDle of handling any number of tourists 
without delay. Meeker is situated near the geographical center of the game 
country and is well supplied with good hotel accommodations, and the tourist can 
find here everything necessary for his personal comfort and to make his hunting 
trip a grand success. 



CLIMATE OF COLORADO. 57 

Within easy reach of Meeker is Trapper's Lake, at the head of the north 
fork of the White River. This beautilul body of water is two miles long by 
three-quarters of a mile wide. Nearer Meeker and at the head of Marvine Creek, 
lie the Marvine Lakes, in beauty of scenery beyond the conception of any who 
have not seen these works of nature. Nearer yet to Meeker is the well known 
Marvine Hunting Lodge, situated on Marvine Creek, one of the finest trout 
streams in America, where also the best hunting can be had within easy reach. 

From Wolcott station it is eighty miles to Steamboat Springs, which is the 
outfitting point for the game regions further east and north, extending clear to the 
Wyoming line. This country is still very wild and to a great extent unexplored. 
The top of the range is covered with green timber and there are numerous parks, 
lakes and streams, the favorite haunt of the elk and deer. To the westward over 
loo miles to the Utah line the country is unsettled except along the principal 
streams, and therefore the wild game still has full sway. The country is broken by 
numerous ranges of hills, and the nutritious grasses which are produced make it 
an ideal home for game of all kinds. The far-famed Trapper's and Marvine 
Lakes, mentioned above, may also be reached from Steamboat Springs or from 
McCoy — a most desirable stopping place about twenty-one miles from Wolcott. 

The Egeria Park region, through which the tourist passes to reach Steamboat 
Springs, has many advantages and attractions for sportsmen. The Roaring Fork 
traverses almost its entire length, and the surrounding hills contain large quanti- 
ties of deer. 

In addition to the big game and abundant trout fishing, through the entire 
breadth of this wonderful game country, there is also an abundance of grouse, 
sage hen, geese, ducks, and rabbits in their respective seasons, thus affording the 
hunter every variety of sport. The Denver & Rio Grande R. R. will take partic- 
ular pains to give sporting parties the best accommodations and assist them in 
every possible manner. 



CLIMATE OF COLORADO. 

Colorado is the land of sunshine. The Government Weather Bureau reports 
an average of 357 sunshiny days, covering a period of twenty years. Sunshine 
being the greatest factor of health, this feature of Colorado's climate cannot be 
overestimated. 

Humidity is another factor of health, and twenty-two years of of^cial obser- 
vation shows an average of 49.64 per cent of saturation in Colorado. This 
important feature is made manifest by a comparison with the average humidity 
of Chicago, which is 69.6 per cent; New York, 71 per cent, and San Francisco, 
74 per cent. 

The altitude of Colorado carries with it crisp, electric atmosphere, through 
which the warm sun shines with slight loss. The chief health resort of Switzerland 
is located at an altitude of an even mile above the sea level. The elevation of 
Denver is exactly the same, but the difference in climatic conditions is shown in 
the growth of tender plants and shrubs. Near Denver many varieties of tender 
shrubs and plants grow and thrive, while at the same altitude in Switzerland they 
cannot exist. Just so with the delicate invalid. A prominent physician, in a 
paper read before the Academy of Medicine in New York, said: "At Colorado 
Springs, for instance, in a given period, one month, there will be twenty-eight 
good days — at Davos, in Switzerland, only twenty. At Colorado Springs during 
the shortest days of winter the invalid may enjoy eight hours of sunshine — at 
Davos only four and one-half. In early spring, as soon as the snow begins to 
melt, invalids are compelled to leave Davos, while at Colorado Springs they may 
remain with benefit throughout the entire year." Davos is unquestionably the 
most desirable of the high altitude resorts in Europe, but these statements must 
impress upon the reader the superior advantages of Colorado Springs, which is 
only cited as one of the many desirable resort points in the State of Colorado. 

The Colorado climate is not alone an almost perfect specific for the cure of 
pulmonary and asthmatic troubles, but it affords to all the greatest enjoyment of 
outdoor life the year round. The cold of winter, like the heat of summer, is 
tempered by the dry, rarefied air, and its invigorating quality is conducive of 
mental and physical vigor, and the largest measure of health. 



58 EQUIPMENT. 

The winters of Colorado are especially delightful. Extreme cold weather is 
rarely known until after the holiday season, and seldom exists longer than three 
or four weeks during the months of January and February. Denver probably 
suffers less inconvenience from snow than any other city of its size north of the 
Mason and Dixon line — in fact, sleighing is practically unknown. The light 
snows that do fall occur between sundown and sunrise and disappear under the 
glowing morning sun. 

Autumn is perhaps the most enjoyable season of the year; it is very dry and 
warm, without excessive heat and with few storms. 



FREEDOM FROM MALARIA. 

Colorado is exempt from a long train of diseases common to the low lands of 
the East; the high altitude, sparkling water and pure, dry mountain air rendering 
malaria, fevers, cholera and epidemic diseases almost impossible. The invalid 
will find health and strength returning to him while summering in Colorado, and 
those who are in good health will find immunity from disease and an abundance 
of enjoyment. The summer resorts of Colorado present all the attractions of 
handsome hotels, beautiful scenery, medicinal waters and good society. The 
tourist should visit the Rocky Mountains for pleasure and the invalid for health. 

Figures that Don't Lie — A high altitude and a dry climate are condu- 
cive to health. Pulmonary troubles find relief and in most cases cure under such 
conditions. If now we wish to know in regard to the absolute and relative 
moisture of Denver (which is a pretty fair standard for the health and pleasure 
resorts of the State), we have no better means of judging than by turning to the 
data which the Signal Service Bureau furnishes, and, for the purpose of putting 
forward these and other facts of interest we introduce the following table, com- 
piled from such data: 



Augusta, Ga 

JacKsonville, Fla 
Boston, Mass.. . . 
Newport, R. I.. . 
New York, N. Y. 
Philadelphia, Pa 

Chicago, 111 

St. Paul, Minn... 
Denver, Colo.. .. 
Santa F<S, N. M.. 
Salt Lake, Utah. 
Los Angeles, Cal 



183 

43 

142 

34 

164 

52 

661 

811 

5.198 

7,046 

4.348 

350 



11. 

Mean 
10 Years, 
Barom- 
eter. 



30-140 
30 • 030 
29 . 840 
29.050 
29-857 
30.084 
29-317 
29-133 
24-778 
23-263 
25.644 
29.674 



4 Years, 
Relative 
Humidity 



69.2 
6q.O 
68.5 
74-3 
70.2 



69.2 
67-3 

45.8 
41.4 



IV. 

Mean 
i Years, 
Absolute 
Humidity 



4-56 

5-38 
2.66 
3-07 
3.02 
3-17 
2-77 
2.23 
1. 81 
1-61 
1.76 
3-77 



Mean 
10 Years, 
Precipita- 
tion. 



55-94 

49-47 
50.20 
42-70 
41.89 
35-47 
29-59 
14-77 
14.17 
17.52 
18.97 



10 Years, 
Tempera- 
ture. 



608 
488 
508 

"§ 
408 

438 
4SS 
598 



VII. 
Mean 
5 Years, 
Prevail- 
ing Winds 



N. E. 

N. E, 

W. 

S. W. 

s. w. 
s. w. 
s. w. 

S. E. 

s. 

E. 

N.W. 
W. 



EQUIPMENT. 

The completion of the standard-gauge line of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. 
from Denver, via Pueblo, Leadville, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction to 
Salt Lake City and Ogden, and by connection at the latter city with the Southern 
Pacific R. R. to San Francisco and all Pacific Coast points, marked an era in the 
history of the "Scenic Line of the World." It is now possible to reach San 
Francisco from Denver and vice versa without change of cars, and at the same 
time to secure the most satisfactory views of the grandest scenery in the world. 
Thousands of tourists in the past have chosen to suffer the inconveniences of the 
narrow-gauge line rather than miss the wonderful and awe-inspiring views which 
could be obtained only by following this route. This sacrifice of comfort is no 
longer necessary, for, as has been said, the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. has now 
a standard-gauge through line furnished with all the most modern contrivances 
for comfort, convenience and luxury. 

The overland train is a model in every respect. From the engine to the last 
first-class coach everything is bright and new, and of the most elegant style of 
workmanship and finish. 

The combination mail and express and baggage car, are especially con- 
structed for the speedy and convenient transaction of business on the part of the 



HOW TO REACH THEM. 59 

train men. Hardwoods are used in the interior finish, and the work is exceed- 
ingly neat, tasteful and substantial. They are constructed on the latest approved 
designs, having no platforms or vestibule. The buffer or diaphram plates fitting 
snugly against the vestibule of the following cars. 

The smoker is fully the equal of any first-class coaches in general use. It is 
finished in solid oak, with high-backed comfortable seats, elegantly upholstered 
in crimson plush. The car will seat fifty-six people, is lighted by four double, 
highly-finished brass Pintsch lamps, and is warmed by a Baker heater. The 
ceiling is of ornamental oak. The second-class coaches are finished in antique 
oak and furnished with chair seats upholstered in crimson plush. They are 
warmed by Baker heaters and lighted by the Pintsch gas system. Each coach 
will seat sixty people. 

The first-class coach is the climax of elegance. It resembles a Pullman 
palace car in luxurious appointments, with the objections to a Pullman as a 
day coach removed. It is finished in mahogany, warmed by a Baker heater, 
lighted by six large, double, polished brass Pintsch gas illuminators, and has hat 
racks of antique bronze. The seats are of the latest and most comfortable 
patterns, luxuriously upholstered in crimson plush. The windows are large, to 
afford an unobstructed view of the scenery and are shaded by handsome damask 
curtains. Between the windows are panels of beveled plate-glass mirrors. The 
ladies' toilet and lavatory is provided with mirrors, silver-plated water service and 
all modern conveniences. A large beveled plate-glass mirror ornaments one end 
of the car. At the rear of the coach is a smoking compartment with lounges 
upholstered in olive leather and furnished with the greatest elegance. Here also 
is a magnificent plate-glass mirror. Next to the smoking compartment, which 
is entirely separated by swinging doors from the rest of the coach, is the gentle- 
men's lavatory and toilet room. The coach will seat sixty people. 

Magnificent new dining cars of the latest design, seating thirty passengers 
and serving all meals a la carte, are attached to all through trains. These cars 
are finished in light mahogany with green hangings and trimmings and are equal 
to any dining cars operated in the country. The service is unsurpassed and the 
cuisine beyond reproach. 

The coaches are all painted in Tuscan red, with handsome gold trimmings, 
and are equipped with the full wide vestibules and the entire effect is that of rich 
and substantial elegance. One great convenience and novelty is that all the 
vestibules are lighted by a brilliant gas illuminator. 

The Pullman Company operate their cars on the line of the Denver & Rio 
Grande; all trains except purely local and suburban haul them. The magnificence 
of the Pullman car is too well known to need description here, suffice to say that 
this equipment is strictly modern and up-to-date and are models of elegance and 
comfort. The "Ordinary" sleeping car, also known as the Tourist, is operated 
on the line. These cars contain all the comforts of the standard first-class sleeper 
at less than half the cost. The upholstering is in rattan or cane instead of plush, 
but the hangings, linen and bedding are practically the same. Through service of 
standard and ordinary sleepers operate between Denver, Leadville, Glenwood, 
Grand Junction, Salt Lake, Ogden, San Francisco and Portland on the west and 
with eastern connections through service is maintained from Chicago and St. 
Louis to the Pacific Coast, for details of which the reader is referred to the 
company's regular monthly folder. 

The engines which haul these magnificent trains are also new and giants of 
their class, having cylinders 21 x 26 inches. They have six 63-inch drive wheels, 
connected. The total weight of each locomotive is 168,700 pounds, with a weight 
of 132,200 pounds on the drivers. Their length over all is sixty-four feet. The boiler 
is sixty-four inches in diameter, with 252 two-inch tubes. The stack is straight, 
there is an extension front, and none of the latest improvements are omitted. 
The tender has eight wheels and a capacity of 6,000 gallons of water and eight 
tons of coal. 

HOW TO REACH THEM. 

The compiler of this little book has taken much pains to point out and 
describe the many points of interest in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, and now 
a few hints as to the advantages offered by the railroad company to enable the 
traveler to reach them speedily and comfortably will not be out of place. The 



6o 



ALTITUDES OF TOWNS, CITIES AND PASSES. 



Denver & Rio Grande R. R. runs its trains to nearly all of the points named, and 
to the points which the railroad has not yet reached, to the nearest railroad sta- 
tion, where other conveyances can be secured. It is the aim of the railroad to 
furnish every facility to the invalid, tourist or sportsman to visit these points with 
the greatest ease and comfort, and to this end its trains are equipped in a style 
that is unsurpassed by any railroad in the world. Special rates are made from 
May till November to tourists, that will enable them to visit any point named in 
this book at a great reduction from the regular local rates. 

The transcontinental traveler who may not have the time to spare to make a 
sight-seeing tour, need only take his ticket via the "Great Scenic Line," and from 
the car window, as he speeds on his journey across the continent, avail himself 
of an opportunity to witness many of the points described, as the entire trip from 
Denver to the Great Salt Lake is one grand panoramic view of gorgeous mountain 
scenery that has not a parallel in the whole world. 

Bonanza, by stage from Villa Grove. 

Cottonwood Hot Springs, by stage from Buena Vista. 

Evergreen Lakes, by stage from Leadville. 

Gothic, Irwin, by stage from Crested Butte and Aspen. 

Hotchkiss, by stage from Delta. 

Meeker, by stage from Rifle. 

Mount of the Holy Cross, by horse from Red Cliff. 

Ojo Caliente, by stage from Barranca, twelve miles. 

Pagosa Hot Springs, by rail from Pagosa Junction, thirty-one miles. 

Paonia, by stage from Delta. 

Perry Park, by carriage from Larkspur. 

Pitkin, by stage from Parlin. 

Pueblo de Taos, by carriage from Embudo, thirty miles. 

Saguache, by stage from Villa Grove. 

Soda Springs, Evergreen Lakes, by stage from Leadville. 

Steamboat Springs, by stage from Wolcott. 

Taos, by carriage from Tres Piedras. 

Tierra Amarilla, by carriage from Chama. 

Tin Cup, Alpine, by carriage from Nathrop. 

Twin Lakes, by hack line from Granite and Leadville. 

Waunita Hot Springs, by stage from Doyle. 



ALTITUDES OF TOWNS, CITIES AND PASSES. 

Revised since first edition from engineers' measurements. 



Feet. 

Alamosa 7,546 

Antonito 7,888 

Aspen 7,874 

Buena Vista 7.967 

Canon City v 5.343 

Castle Kock 6,210 

Cerro Summit 7,968 

Chama 7,863 

Cimarron 6,906 

Colorado Springs S'992 

Conejos 7,880 

Cottonwood Springs 7>95° 

Creede 8,852 

Crested Butte 8,878 

Cripple Creek 9,396 

Cuchara 5,942 

Cumbres Pass 10,015 

De Beque 4.945 

Delta 4,980 

DelNorte 7,880 

Denver 5,198 

Dillon 8.859 

Doyle 8,062 

Durango ^-S^o 

El Moro 5.079 

Espaiiola 5.590 

Florence 5,i99 

Fort Garland 7,936 



Fremont Pass 11,33° 

Granite 8,940 

Grand Junction 4,594 

Glenwood Springs 5,758 

Gunnison 7,683 

Howardsville 9,700 

Ibex 11,522 

Ironton 9,94o 

Irwin 10,500 

Kokomo 10,614 

Lake City 8,686 

La Veta 7,024 

La Veta Pass 9,242 

Leadville 10,200 

Los Pinos 9,637 

Marshall Pass 10,856 

M alta 9,582 

Mancos 7,008 

Manitou 6,318 

Monte Vista 7>o65 

Montrose 5, 811 

Newcastle 5,562 

Ogden, Utah 4,286 

Ojo Caliente 7,324 

Ouray 7,721 

Pagosa Junction 6,271 

Pagosa Springs 7,108 

Palmer Lake 7,237 



Feet. 

Poncha Junction 7,480 

Poncha Pass 9,059 

Pueblo 4,672 

Red Cliff 8,608 

Rico S.737 

Ridgway 7. 00^ 

Rifle 5,^10 

Robinson 10,867 

Rosita 8,500 

Ruby 9,861 

Saguache 7,723 

Salida 7,050 

Salt Lake City 4,228 

Santa F6 6,968 

Sapinero 7,255 

Sargent 8,477 

Silver Cliff 7,816 

Silverton 9.224 

Telluride 8,756 

Tennessee Pass 10,240 

Toltec Gorge 9,465 

Trimble Springs 6,575 

Trinidad 5,994 

Victor 9'72^ 

Wagon Wheel Gap 8,449 

Walsenburg 6,187 

Westcliffe 7,864 

Wolcott 6,976 



ALTITUDES OF MOUNTAIN PEAKS. 



6i 



ALTITUDE OF MOUNTAIN PEAKS OF THE 
ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 



Height. Name. 

14, 147 Pike's Peak 



RAMPART RANGE. 

County. 

El Paso 



Nearest Point. 

. Manitou Springs. 



FRONT RANGE. 

From Lulu Pass to Canon City in the transverse valley of the Arkansas. This 
range divides Grand County from Boulder County, passes through Gilpin County, 
Clear Creek County and Park County, and ends in Fremont County. 



Height. Name. 



County. 

.Boulder. 



Nearest Point. 



.Boulder. 
.Sunset. 



14,271.. Long's Peak. 
13,173.. Audubon .... 

13,520.. Arapahoe 

13,283 . . James Peak — Gilpin Central City. 

13, 133.. Perry's Peak. .. '• ..." " 

12,873.. Mount Flora. .. " ... " " 



Height. Name. 

14,336.. Torrey's Peak 
14,411 . . Gray's Peak . . 
14,321 ..Evans Peak... 
14,340.. Mt. Rosalie . .. 
12,446.. Bison Peak ... 



County. 



Nearest Point. 



ClearCreek . Georgetown. 



Park Fairplay. 



MEDICINE BOW RANGE. 

Is due northern continuation of the North Range. 



Height. Name. County. 

13,832 Haynes Peak Larimer. 

13,167 Clark's Peak " 



Nearest Point. 



BLUE RIVER RANGE. 

Sometimes called Eagle River Mountains; runs parallel with the Park Range 
through Summit County. It ends in the western part of Park County. 

Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. 

13.565.. Mount Guyot Summit.. Breckenridge. 

13,800.. Mount Hamilton.. " .. " 
13,835.. Silver Heel Park Como. 



County. Nearest Point. 

.Summit.. .Dillon. 



Height. Name. 

13,398.. Mount Powell. 

12,382.. Red Peak " ... " 

12,890.. Miles Peak " ... " 

13,200.. Whale Peak . ..Park Breckenridge. 



PARK RANGE. 

Begins in the northern boundary of the State, marking the boundary lines of 
Routt and Larimer and ends in the transverse range of the Arkansas Mountains, 
passmg through Eagle, Summit, Lake, Park and Chaffee counties. 



Height. Name. 



County. 



Nearest Point. 



Height. Name. 



County. 



12,126.. Mount Zirkel .. Larimer 

14, 269.. Quandary Summit. ..Breckenridge. 

14,297.. Lincoln Park Alma. 

13,796.. Arkansas " ... " 

13,961.. Buckskin " ... " 

14,185.. Bross " ... " 

13,650.. Evans (No. 2).. " ... " 



14,008.. Sherman Park, 

13.750. .SheridaniNo. 2) " 

13,909.. Horseshoe " 

13.738.. Ptarmigan " 

13,328.. Buffalo Peak... " 
14,132.. Goat's Peak ... " 



Nearest Point. 

Alma. 
Fairplay. 



SAGUACHE RANGE. 

Begins in Eagle County and runs parallel with the Park Range, the Arkansas 
River flowing between them m the southern region. It traverses Lake and 
Chaffee counties and ends in the Cochetopa Hills, the central part of the Conti- 
nental Divide. 



Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. 

14,176.. Mount of the 

Holy Cross . . Eagle Red Cliff. 

i3.o73--Homestake " ... " 

14,424.. Mount Massive. Lake Leadville. 

14,436.. Elbert 

14,302. .La Plata Peak. Chaffee ...Buena Vista. 



Height. Name. County. 

14,375.. Harvard Chaffee 

14,187. .Yale " 

:4,i9g.. Princeton " 

14,245.. Antero " 

14,239.. Shavano " 

14,055.. Ouray " 



Nearest Point. 

Buena Vista. 

Salida. 

Maysville. 
Marshall Pass 



62 ALTITUDES OF MOUNTAIN PEAKS. 

ELK MOUNTAINS OR ASPEN GROUP. 

This range is a great semi-circle of mountains in Pitkin County, with Aspen 
in the center and with spurs running into the adjoining county of Gunnison, 

Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. Height. Name, County. Nearest Point. 

12,823.. Sopris Peak ...Pitkin Carbondale. 13,327.. White Hack.. .. Gunnison .CrestedButtc. 

13,997.. Capital Peak... " ...Aspen. i3,ii3..Teocalli Peak.. " ... " " 

13,978.. Snow Mass " ... " 13,956. .Grizzly Pitkin — Aspen. 

14,008.. Maroon Peak.. " ... " 13,350.. Italian Peak . ..Gunnison .CrestedButte. 

13,885.. Pyramid Peak. " ... " 13,357.. White Rock . ..Pitkin Aspen. 

14,115.. Castle Peak " ... " 

WEST ELK MOUNTAINS. 

Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. 

13,102 West Elk Peak Gunnison Gunnison. 

SANGRE DE CRISTO RANGE. 

It unites at its northern point with the Arksansas Hills, which run east and 
west, and with the Cochetopa Hills, which run from the southwest to the north- 
east and which form a part of the Continental Divide. 

N. B. — There are many unnamed peaks above 13,000 feet in this range. 

Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. Height. Name. County. Nearest Poinl. 

12,446.. Hunt's Peak. ..Fremont .. Poncha. i4,233..Crestone Grant Moffat. 

12,863.. Kito Alto Custer Villa Grove. 14,041.. Humboldt Custer Silver Cliff. 

13,600. .Silesia Peak.... " ... Hot Springs. 14,483. .Sierra Blanca.. Costilla Alamosa. 

13,729. .Gibson Peak. .. " ..." 14,176.. Old Bald y " Blanca. 

13,447.. Horn Peak " ...Moffat. i3,6i5..Grayback " " 

CULEHA RANGE. 

Is a continuation of the Sangre de Cristo Range. '■ 

Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. 

14,079 Culeha Peak Las Animas '. .• Trinidad. 

13,611 Trinchera " .' " 

13,718 Spanish Peak " " 

THE SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS. 

This range is the southern part of the Continental Divide. It has many lateral 
ranges, like buttresses, and its general course is from southeast to northwest, 
where it joins with the Uncompahgre Range and the Cochetopa Hills. It is very 
little known, and contains many high unnamed mountains. It is spread over 
Saguache, Hinsdale (southern part), Archuleta, Rio Grande and Conejos counties. 

Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. Heiglit. Name. County. Nearest Point. 

14,032.. Stewart Peak ..Saguache . Lake City. 12,506.. San Juan Peak Hinsdale 

14,100. San Luis Peak. " ... " 13,154.. Macomb's Peak " ..Wagon Wheel Gap, 

13,131.. Mesa Peak " ... " 12,673.. Bellevue Peak Rio Grande Del Norte. 

12,840.. Bristol Head. ..Hinsdale.. 13,081 . Del Norte Peak •' 

14,092.. Red Cloud " ...LakeCity. 13,347.. Conejos " ... Pagosa Springs. 

14,149.. Handles Peak.. " ... " 12,824.. Banded Peak Archuleta. 

13,400.. Pole Creek Peak " ... " 14,065.. Simpson's Peak Rio Grande Del Norte. 

NEEDLE MOUNTAINS. 

A series of short ranges on the west side of the Grand Divide, buttressing the 
San Juan Mountains. It contains many high isolated peaks named and unnamed. 

Height Name. County. Nearest Poiat, ileiglit. Name. County. Nearest Point. 

12,305.. Sheridan Peak. La Plata ..Durango. 14,055.. Rio Grande Pyramid. San Juan..Needleton. 

(No.i) 13,542.. MoimtKendall. " .. .Silverton. 

14,054.. jI^.oIus " ... " 13.356.. Mount Canby.. " ... " 

14, 051.. Needle Peak.. . " ... " 13,550.. King Solomon. " ... " 

13,755.. Mount Oso " ... " 13,501.. Sultan " 

13,928.. I'igeons Peak.. " ... " 13,357. .The Hunchback " ...Durango. 



ALTITUDES OF MOUNTAIN PEAKS. 63 

OURAY MOUNTAINS. 

A prolongation of the San Miguel Mountains to the north, uniting with the 
Uncompahgre chain, which runs from west to east. 

Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. 

14,340 Mount Sneffels Ouray Ouray. 

SAN MIGUEL MOUNTAINS. 

Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. 

14,075.. Unnamed SanMigueL.Telluride. 13.890.. Unnamed Dolores Rico. 

14,160.. Lizard Head. . . " Trout Lake. 12,703.. MountFreeman " " 

14,309.. Mount Wilson. Dolores Ophir. 12, 516.. Mount Elliott .. " " 

13. 1^02.. Dolores Peak .. " ... " 12,542.. Anchor " " 

12,703.. Mount Dolores. " Rico. 12,635.. Lone Cone San Miguel.. Telluride. 

LA PLATA MOUNTAINS. 

Are a prolongation south of the San Miguel Range. 

Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. 

13,376 Hesperus Montezuma Dolores. 

13,456 Babcock La Plata Durango. 

UNCOMPAHGRE MOUNTAINS. 

This range is short and runs from west to east. It contains some very high 
mountains, usually at right angles to the chain. 

Height. Name. County. Nearest Point. 

14,419 Uncompahgre Hinsdale Ouray. 

14,069 The Wetterhorn " 




64 



NAMKS OF SPRINGS, KESOKTS AND FARMHOUSES. 



NAMES OF SPRINGS, RESORTS AND FARMHOUSES 

LOCATED ALONG THE LINE OF THE 

DENVER & RIO GRANDE RAILROAD. 



Post Office Address 



Dist. 

Mil: 



Convoy 
auce 



AVERAGE BOARD 



Day 



Week 



Proprietors 



Buena Vista . 
Canon City... 
Cimarron. . . . 



Cottonwood Springs. . . 

Hot Springs Hotel 

Farmhouse 



Buena Vista. . ..Colo, 

Canon City Colo. 

Cimarron Colo. 



Crested Butte. 



Durango . 
Doyle . . . 
De Beque . 



Granite . 



Gothic Hotel 

Antlers Park 

Trimble Springs 

WaunitaHot Springs. 
Alexandria Lakes Hotel 

Antlers Lodge 

Glen Beulah Park 

Mesa Lodge 

Twin Lakes 



Greenland . . . . 
Glenwood Spr'f 



Husted.. 
Tola.... 
Littleton 



Larkspur. 



Monument . 



I. J. Noe Farm 

(Farmlicnise) 

Hotel Colorado 

Hotel Glenwood 

Kendrick Cottages. . . . 

Main's Cottages 

Ward's 

Trapper's Lake (Hunt'p 

and Kishiii- Kesorl) 

Marvine Lake 

Walker Ranch 

CeboUa Hot Springs. . . 
Glen Plyme 

IWilliains.iii's Halieli) 

Lyndburst 

Nanachant Inn 

Daken Ranch '. .. 

Farmhouse 



Gothic Colo. 

Amethyst Colo. 

Trimble Colo, 

Waunila Colo, 

De Bcque Colo. 

Highmore Colo, 

De Beque Colo, 

Mesa Colo. 

Twin Lakes Colo. 



Greenland Colo, 



Livery 



Railroad 



Glenwood Spr'gs, Colo, 



Buford Colo, 



.Colo. 



Husted . 

Powdcrhorn. . ..Colo.' is 

Littleton Colo. 9 



Private 

Stage. . . 

Private 



New Castle . . 
Palmer Lake. 



Perry Park .... Colo, 
Monument Colo. 



Capf. Watson Farmh'se;New Castle Colo, 



Rockland's Hotel 
Kinnikinniok Hotel. . . 
Y. W. C. A. Hotel.... 
Boarding Houses 



Farmhouse., 



Palmer Lake. . . . Colo, 



Cochetopa Colo, 

IParlin's Colo, 



Salida 

South Fork . . . 
Trimble Spring 
Wolcotl 



Rifle Falls 

Mountain Dell Home. . 

Marvine Lodge 

Peltier's Ranch 

Steele's Ranch 

Meeker Hotel 

Miller House 

Windemere Lodge 

Wilbur's Ranch 

Tichenor's Cabins 

Poncha Springs 

Boarding House 

Trimble Springs Hotel 

McCoy Hotel 

Yampa Hotel 

Sheridan Hotel 



12 

Buford Colo. (;.5 

Marvine Colo. HO 

Buford Colo, i).^ 

tiO 
Meeker Colo. -15 

4.5 



Livery 
Hacks . 



Private, 
Livery. 



Buford Colo. 

Meeker Colo. 

:Rifle Colo. 

Poncha Colo. 

South Fork Colo. 

Trimble Springs. Colo. 

McCoy Colo.'-.>-' 

Yampa Colo.' 15 

Steamboat Sp'gs.Colo.| . . 



Livery. 



Stage.. 



$2.50 
2.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 



$12.00 
12.00 
7.00 
7.00 
7.(X) 



Special 
Special 
Special 



3.00 
2.00 
2.00 
3.50 
2.00 
2.00 
2.50 
2.00 
1.50 
1.50 



4.00-5.00 
2.50-3.50 

Special, 
Special, 
Special, 
Special 



10.00 
12.00 
14.00 



.$.35.00 
Byw'k 
50.00 



J. M. Bay & Son 
J. L. Prentiss 
S. M. Brown 
S. Schildt 
W. McMinn 
Mrs. Howe 
Chas. Heinz 
E. S. Boswell 
J. B. Turner 
Wm. Radcliffe 
J. Johnson 
Geo. F. Newton 



12.00 
10.00 

10.00 

e.00-8.00 



Special. 



1.50 
1.00 



1.00 
2.25 



6.00 
9.50 
7.00 

7.00 
12.00 
7.00 



28.00 



Mrs. J, Hoffer 
Mrs. Holt 
Mrs. Webber 
I. J. Noe 

C. W. Martin, Mgr. 
A. L. Chase, Mgr. 
Kendrick & Son 
Nelson Main 
L. W. Ward 
J. Borah 

For camp'g parties 

Mrs. H. B. Walker 

J.J.Cobb 

Jno. WilUamson 



28.00 
45.00 



2.00 
2.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
Rates 
Rates 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 



10.00 

7.00 

COO 

7.00 

7.00. 

7.00 

5.00 

5.00 

5.00 

5.00 

10.00 

10.00 

10.00 

10.00 

lO.OII 

10.1)0 

10.(10 

10.00 

10.00 

10.00 

on reque 

on applica 

12.00 



J. W. Blue 
E. M. Hammond 
Mrs. Daken 
D. C. Guire 
J. P. Waldron 
Geo. H. Curtis 
Capt. Watson 
C. G. Vaughm 
Mrs. Morrow 
Mrs. Foote 
Mrs. Martha Carter 
Mrs. Hanks 
W. M. McCormack 
20.00:H. Van Tassel 
20.00 E. A. Mitchell 
•_'0.0{| Wm. Reece 
20.(10 J. T. Parlin 
.•fO.OOJ. M. Watson 
.SO.dO Levi W. Ward 
:iO.(K) J. B. Goff 
;».(«) Jno. Pettier 
:;o,ooMr. Steele 
.•io.ooR. S. Ball 
.•!0.(K)C. P. Bowman 
30.00lW. L. Pattison 
30.00 E. P. Wilbur 



30.00 

St. 

tion. 
Byw'k 



W. W. Tichenor 



A. K. Patten 
E. S. Boswell 
C. H. McCoy 
Mrs. Moore 
H, Schafuit 



t Including fishing privileges. 



-<i H IN N C T /o ^ 




AND CONNECTIONS 




A PROMINENT FEATURE 

OF THE 

Denver & Rio Grande Railroad 

IS ITS EXCELLENT 

DINING CAR SERVICE 

„,. . . . . . ,, ., 1. > • The MENU is unsurpassed. 

Which IS operated on all through trains. Service a la Carte. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

!!!!! I!!!! !!' "I'! 'I"! "I'! '!'■' !'"* !"■' "IM i'" im 




J?oc)ae3- 



